Piper PA-28-235 accident near Calhan, Colorado, April 3, 2022
On April 3, 2022 at about 11:55 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-235, registered N9119W, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Calhan, Colorado (Meadow Lake Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 3, 2022 · about 11:55 pm local time
- Place
- Calhan, Colorado · Meadow Lake Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-235 · all PA-28-235s on the register
- Registration
- N9119W · registry record · serial 28-10732
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, upon arrival at the destination airport, the reported wind was from 220° at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots. He chose to fly a faster approach speed for landing on runway 15. He stated that, as the airplane touched down, a gust of wind pushed the airplane off the runway toward a hangar. Although he knew he impacted ground signs, he attempted a go-around, but was unable to avoid the hangar in front of him and impacted it with the left wing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain control of the airplane during the landing and attempted go-around.
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 on ground during landing defining event
- Ground collision during landing (aborted after touchdown)
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff
- Runway excursion during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Runway 15, 6,001 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from KFLY
Weather report (METAR): KFLY 032355Z AUTO 22013G19KT 10SM OVC090 06/00 A3002 RMK AO2 T00610000 10101 20045
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on August 15, 2023. 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 | FAA Examination Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Airport Association President Email Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Accident Video 1 | video | View Download |
| 5 | Accident Video 2 | video | View Download |
| 6 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.