Piper PA-28-180 accident near Colorado Sprngs, Colorado, February 16, 1999
On February 16, 1999 at about 8:20 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N8804J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Colorado Sprngs, Colorado (Colorado Sprngs Municipal airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing touchdown. A factor was the sign.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 16, 1999 · about 8:20 pm local time
- Place
- Colorado Sprngs, Colorado · Colorado Sprngs Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N8804J · registry record · serial 28-2754
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot said the landing approach was 'normal,' but once the wheels touched down, 'the plane began skidding to the right and the nose wheel began vibrating uncontrollably.' The pilot attempted steer the aircraft with the rudder pedals and applied the brakes, but was unable to regain control of the aircraft. The aircraft then skidded off the left side of the runway. The right wing struck the 9,000 foot remaining runway sign. The wind was from 110 degrees at 7 knots. This was the pilot's second solo flight.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 23 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 22 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,070 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 20, 1998; 70 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: COS at 7:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17R, 11,021 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 pm from COS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.