No fatalities

31 Jul 2019: PIPER PA28 235 — Falcon, CO

Falcon, CO, United States

On 31 Jul 2019, a PIPER PA28 235 was involved in an aviation accident near Falcon, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path and his delayed decision to go around, which resulted in impact with a construction barrier before the runway. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land on a runway closed for landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot landing on a closed 2,084-ft runway at a high-altitude airport failed to add power during a go-around, impacting a construction barrier and causing substantial damage.

Accident Details

According to the pilot's report, the main runway at the high-altitude destination airport was closed. The pilot planned to conduct a short-field landing on a perpendicular runway measuring 2,084 ft. During the landing, the airplane came up short, leading the pilot to attempt a go-around. However, the pilot did not add power quickly enough. The airplane subsequently struck a construction barrier near the runway threshold, causing the left main landing gear to separate.

Aircraft Damage

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation.

Weather and NOTAMs

About five minutes after the accident, the airport's automated weather observation station reported wind from 150° at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 08.

Archived Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for the accident date indicated the following:

  • RWY 15/33 CLSD
  • RWY 08 CLSD TO LDG
  • RWY 26 CLSD EXC FSL

The airport manager explained that runway 15/33 was closed due to construction, and the NOTAMs were intended to permit takeoffs on runway 08 and landings on runway 26 to avoid construction equipment. The manager stated that landing on runway 08 was acceptable provided a headwind was present and construction equipment was avoided. The NOTAM for runway 26 signified "closed except full stop landing."

Contributing factors

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedPilotEffect on operation