Piper PA 28R-200 accident near Centennial, Colorado, February 18, 2017
On February 18, 2017 at about 10:29 pm local time, a 1968 Piper PA 28R-200, registered N2702R, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Centennial, Colorado (Centennial airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of airplane control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 18, 2017 · about 10:29 pm local time · cases in 2017
- Place
- Centennial, Colorado · Centennial · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28R-200 200, built 1968 · all PA 28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N2702R · registry record · serial 28R-35252
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A flight instructor and a private pilot receiving instruction were departing for an instructional flight from runway 17L. The pilot receiving instruction reported that after liftoff, the engine rpm was high but that the airplane was not gaining altitude. The instructor reported that shortly after takeoff, he felt as if something was pushing the airplane downward. He stated that the engine had full rpm and that the throttle and mixture controls were full forward. He recalled seeing that the airspeed was about 65 knots and hearing the stall warning horn. The pilot receiving instruction reported that the airspeed was at 55 knots before he braced for impact. The airplane contacted the ground about 1 mile from the end of the runway. Landing gear track marks showed all three landing gear on the ground with a straight track until the airplane impacted a tree, after which it crossed a parking lot driveway, skidded about 100 ft, and came to rest inverted. About 2 minutes before the airplane departed, a small jet airplane had taken off from the same runway. In addition, the winds at the time of the accident were from 170° at 15 knots, gusting to 23 knots. After the accident, the private pilot reported that he was concerned about wake turbulence from the small jet, and the flight instructor reported that he thought that the airplane was affected by wind shear. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of control could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,400 hours in all; 17 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 166 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,436 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming I0360 SER (piston); 3,417 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: APA Centennial CO
- Destination: APA Centennial CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17L, 10,000 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 15 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds; clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.63 inHg
- Observation at 10:30 pm from APA, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – Airplane Wreckage at Accident Site Side View
Photo 2 – Airplane Wreckage at Accident Site Rear ViewThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on January 3, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Ip Pilot's Accident Narrative CEN17LA122 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Student Pilot's Statement CEN17LA122 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for the Record Aircraft and Engine Examination Findings CEN17LA122 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Centennial Police Report CEN17LA122 | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Ip Pilot's Safety Recommendations CEN17LA122 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Pilot Who Last Flew N2702R | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photo Array CEN17LA122 | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N2702R on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Arrow 18,620 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Piper 44,839 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming I0360 SER 8,561 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Centennial Airport · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Colorado 2,860 since 1982 · 383 in the last ten years
- Colorado 7,483 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN17LA122.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.