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Accidents · NTSB CEN22LA421 · Final report

Piper PA-28R-180 accident near Broomfield, Colorado, September 14, 2022

On September 14, 2022 at about 5:40 pm local time, a 1967 Piper PA-28R-180, registered N3713T, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Broomfield, Colorado (Erie Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

A partial loss of engine power due to a collapsed induction hose that blocked engine intake airflow.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
September 14, 2022 · about 5:40 pm local time
Place
Broomfield, Colorado · Erie Muni · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180, built 1967 · all PA-28R-180s on the register
Registration
N3713T · no longer on the register · serial 28R-30017
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 shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 200 ft above ground level (AGL), the engine sustained a partial loss of power. He was not able to climb or maintain altitude and executed a forced landing. During the landing the airplane nosed over into a pond, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. Recorded flight data was consistent with the pilot’s description of events, but no recorded engine data was available. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the interior liner of the induction air hose between the air filter and the throttle body was partially collapsed inward. The exterior of the hose did not display obvious damage. No further preimpact anomalies that would explain the reported loss of engine power were found. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive for carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings, but not at the full power setting that would be used for takeoff and initial climb. Based on the available evidence, the partially collapsed induction hose likely collapsed further, blocking airflow to the carburetor and resulting in the loss of engine power.

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

  1. Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event

The NTSB's findings

  • Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
  • Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › Air intake › Damaged/degraded

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 4,592.3 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, February 11, 2022; 25 hours since
  • Seats: 4
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine: Lycoming IO-360-B1E (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 16, 4,700 ft by 60 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 040° at 3 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
  • Observation at 10:55 am from KEIK

Weather report (METAR): METAR KEIK 141655Z AUTO 04003KT 10SM CLR 24/04 A2997 RMK AO2 T02360037 PWINO=

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

8 documents, released by the NTSB on February 7, 2024. 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.

#DocumentWhat it is
1 Airframe Maintenance Record Excerpts PDF, 6 pages View Download
2 Engine Maintenance Record Excerpts PDF, 6 pages View Download
3 Carburetor Icing Chart PDF, 1 page View Download
4 Airplane Examination PDF, 7 pages View Download
5 Magneto Examination Notes PDF, 8 pages View Download
6 Record of Conversation with Pilot PDF, 1 page View Download
7 EFIS Data for Accident Flight data file Download
8 Photographs PDF, 4 pages 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.