Accident Overview
On June 18, 2013, at approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, registration N7444J, was substantially damaged when it impacted runway lights during a forced landing after takeoff. The incident occurred at Durango – La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado. The private pilot and a passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The intended destination was Tyler, Texas.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The 74-year-old pilot, a co-owner of the airplane, held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. He had 617 total flight hours, with 325 hours in make and model. He possessed a third-class medical certificate. The airplane was a single-engine Piper PA-28R-180 equipped with a 180-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-B1E engine. Its maximum gross weight was 2,500 pounds, and at the time of the accident, it weighed 2,269 pounds. The last annual inspection was on June 1, 2013, with an airframe time of 3,497 hours. The engine had 151 hours since overhaul.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported obtaining a weather brief and conducting a walk-around inspection before engine start. After starting, he leaned the mixture for high density altitude. He taxied to the run-up area, completed the preflight checklist, and performed normal magneto checks. He briefly applied full power, adjusted the mixture for best rpm, then reduced throttle to idle.
During takeoff from runway 21, the pilot advanced the throttle to full power. The airplane accelerated to 80 mph, lifted off, and climbed to about 100 feet above ground level. The pilot noted the airplane seemed "sluggish," which he attributed to high density altitude. As the airplane approached the runway's end, it stopped climbing despite full throttle and no changes to mixture or propeller pitch. Oil pressure and fuel pressure were in the green, but airspeed and altitude were insufficient to return to a paved runway. Although the engine was not "missing," the airplane descended rapidly. The pilot performed a controlled landing about 400 yards off the departure end of the runway. After touchdown, he pulled the throttle fully aft and applied brakes. The wings struck several approach lights, causing substantial damage.
Meteorological and Performance Data
The 1100 surface weather observation at DRO reported: wind 090 degrees at 12 knots, sky clear, visibility 10 miles, temperature 24°C, dew point 13°C, altimeter 30.18 inches of mercury. The airport elevation is 6,685 feet. Calculated density altitude was 9,355 feet. The crosswind component was about 10.4 knots from the left with a tailwind component of about 6.1 knots. Performance charts from the Piper Cherokee 'Arrow' Owner's Handbook indicate that at maximum gross weight with no wind, the take-off distance would be about 3,800 feet. Charts did not provide take-off distance for a tailwind condition. Calculated climb performance was about 380 feet per minute.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination and engine ground run at DRO revealed: the left fuel tank was ruptured with no fuel remaining; the right main tank was about 3/4 full. Fuel samples from the right tank and strainer showed no contaminants or water. Engine control continuity and full travel were confirmed. The propeller was rotated by hand and all cylinders had similar compression. Mufflers were clear of blockage. The engine was started, warmed up, and magneto checks were completed. Idle and idle mixture checks were normal. The engine was run at full power with boost pump on and off, with mixture leaned and at full rich, and propeller set at takeoff and cruise settings. No discrepancies were found.