Piper PA-28-180 accident near Hudson, Colorado, August 6, 1995
On August 6, 1995 at about 5:43 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N7415W, was destroyed in an accident near Hudson, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 6, 1995 · about 5:43 pm local time
- Place
- Hudson, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N7415W · no longer on the register · serial 28-1303
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND TURNED ONTO THE CROSSWIND LEG. AT AN ALTITUDE OF 500 FEET, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT TURNED TOWARDS AN OPEN FIELD AND MANAGED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT IT LOST POWER AGAIN. THE PILOT REALIZED HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO LAND IN HIS CHOSEN FIELD. THE AIRPLANE 'TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND BOUNCED' OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE LANDING GEAR WAS TORN OFF AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED ON ITS FUSELAGE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH RAILROAD TRACKS. THE ENGINE AND ACCESSORIES WERE LATER EXAMINED. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 185 hours in all; 159 in this make and model; 47 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 158 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,722 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 23, 1994; 149 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 18V at 5:30 pm
- Destination: GXY Greeley CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from GXY, 20 miles away
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.