Piper PA-32-260, N85CT: Fatal accident occurred May 22, 2022 and Incident occurred April 16, 2016

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 

Piper Aircraft;  Vero Beach, Florida 

Aerobsession LLC 

https://registry.faa.gov/N85CT

Location: Broomfield, Colorado

Accident Number: CEN22FA208

Date and Time: May 22, 2022, 11:49 Local 

Registration: N85CT

Aircraft: Piper PA-32-260 

Injuries: 2 Fatal

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 22, 2022, about 1149 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N85CT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Broomfield, Colorado. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) information obtained from a private source, the airplane departed Erie Municipal Airport (EIK) on Runway 15. About 3,000 ft from the departure end of the runway, the airplane made a left turn, descended, and impacted terrain.

Two experienced pilots that lived along the airplane’s flight path reported hearing abnormal engine noises. The first pilot, who was located about 800 ft before the departure end of Runway 15, observed the airplane fly past about 50 to 100 ft above ground level (agl). About 5 seconds later, he heard several popping noises.

The second pilot was located about 1,000 ft to the west of the accident site and reported hearing a “loud carburetor cough” followed a few seconds later by a “quieter carburetor cough”. Within 10 seconds, he heard the airplane impact the ground. A third witness located about 2,000 ft northeast of the accident site observed the airplane in a climb about 50 ft agl with a high nose attitude. The airplane subsequently turned left and descended. The witness did not observe the airplane impact the ground.

The airplane impacted a grassy area of a residential community. About 35 ft beyond the initial impact, six propeller strike marks spaced about 1 ft apart were located on a paved road. The airplane bounced and subsequently impacted a large tree about 100 ft from the propeller strike marks, which resulted in the engine/cockpit area separating from the remainder of the fuselage.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 

Registration: N85CT

Model/Series: PA-32-260 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built:

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KEIK,5132 ft msl 

Observation Time: 11:55 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C /-1°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Wind 

Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 190°

Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 4600 ft AGL 

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 30.2 inches Hg

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Erie, CO (EIK)

Destination: Erie, CO (EIK)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 Fatal 

Latitude, Longitude: 39.996526,-105.04271

May 22, 2022:  Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff in a park. 

Date: 22-MAY-22

Time: 17:51:00Z

Regis#: N85CT

Aircraft Make: PIPER

Aircraft Model: PA32

Event Type: ACCIDENT

Highest Injury: FATAL

Total Fatal: 2

Flight: 1 fatal

Pax: 1 fatal 

Aircraft Missing: No

Damage: SUBSTANTIAL

Activity: PERSONAL

Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)

Operation: 91

City: ERIE

State: COLORADO

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona 

April 16, 2016:  Aircraft force landed on a dirt road. 

Monarch Sky LLC

Date:  16-APR-16
Time:  17:05:00Z
Regis#:  N85CT
Aircraft Make:  PIPER
Aircraft Model:  PA32
Event Type:  Incident
Highest Injury:  None
Damage:  None
Flight Phase:  LANDING (LDG)
City:  HOLBROOK
State:  Arizona