Piper PA28 accident near Parker, Colorado, October 26, 2018
On October 26, 2018 at about 1:30 pm local time, a 1969 Piper PA28, registered N5575U, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Parker, Colorado (Centennial 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 during initial climb due to carburetor icing, and the pilot's failure to effectively use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 26, 2018 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Parker, Colorado · Centennial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 140, built 1969 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N5575U · no longer on the register · serial 28-26304
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After completing the preflight inspection, the pilot reported a normal engine runup and recalled checking the carburetor heat and magnetos twice before takeoff. He started the takeoff roll and noticed that the roll was a "little longer than normal” and that the airplane’s climb performance was poor. He applied carburetor heat, noted a loss of rpm, then turned the carburetor heat off. Shortly thereafter, the airplane started to descend, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at cruise power settings. Since postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies, it is likely that the loss of power was a result of carburetor ice accumulation. It is possible that carburetor ice formed before departure, when the engine was operating at a low power setting, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb.
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 engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Ice/rain protection system › Intake anti › ice, deice › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 881 hours in all; 316 in this make and model; 92 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 797 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 10, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 12, 2018; 3,494 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 3,494 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: APA Denver CO at 1:27 pm
- Destination: OGD Ogden UT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 17L, 10,001 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from KAPA, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on November 2, 2021. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot and Passenger Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Examination Summary Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Pilot Logbook | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 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.