Accident Details
On February 18, 2017, about 1529 mountain standard time, a Piper PA28R-200 airplane, registration N2702R, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain shortly after takeoff from Centennial Airport (APA) in Centennial, Colorado. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries, and the private pilot receiving instruction sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was registered to a private individual and operated by Centennial Flyers of Englewood, Colorado. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Accounts
According to the private pilot seated in the left seat, the flight instructor attempted to prime the engine several times while moving the mixture back and forth. After the third attempt, the engine started, and the private pilot prepared for takeoff on runway 17L. He noted difficulty obtaining lift during the takeoff roll. After liftoff at about 75 knots, engine RPMs remained high and power seemed sufficient, but the airplane did not gain altitude. Near the end of the 10,000-foot runway, the flight instructor took control, flew past the departure end, crossed over Highway E-470, banked left, and touched down in a grassy area. The private pilot recalled airspeed around 55 knots before impact with trees. He stated the flight instructor passed out upon impact and that the left wing sheared off. He extricated himself and was transported to the hospital.
The flight instructor reported that the engine was run up to 2,000 RPM with positive magneto and flight control checks before departure. The fuel pump was on, and the mixture was leaned for takeoff. Rotation occurred at about 65 knots within approximately 1,000 feet of ground roll. The airplane accelerated to 75–80 knots with a slow climb. He verified the flap handle was down and flaps visually up. At about 150 feet altitude, he felt something pushing the airplane down. The engine seemed to have full RPM, and throttle and mixture were full forward. He recalled seeing airspeed at 65 knots and hearing a stall warning horn at ground contact.
Wake Turbulence and Wind Concerns
In a post-accident interview, the private pilot noted that a Falcon Jet had taken off on runway 17L about two minutes prior, and he was concerned about wake turbulence. The flight instructor stated he was not concerned due to wind conditions at takeoff. He believed the climbout was affected by wind shear.
Accident Site and Examination
The accident site revealed the aircraft landed in a grassy area heading approximately 120°, about one mile west of APA. Landing gear track marks showed all three gear on the ground with a straight track until impact with a tree. After hitting the tree, the airplane crossed a parking lot driveway, skidded 100 feet, and came to rest inverted.
The wreckage was examined at a secure facility. The throttle, propeller, and mixture controls functioned normally. The engine rotated freely, all cylinders produced compression, and magnetos sparked at all terminals. The oil screen was clean. The engine was successfully run on the airframe throughout its operating range. Elevator, aileron, and rudder cables were intact and functional except for impact-related damage.