Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Salida, Colorado, September 2, 1996
On September 2, 1996 at about 1:46 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-300, registered N7640F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Salida, Colorado (Harriet Alexander Field). It was a personal 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
total failure of the induction air control linkage (bolt), which allowed the alternate air door to close and starve the engine of air.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 1996 · about 1:46 pm local time
- Place
- Salida, Colorado · Harriet Alexander Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-300 · all PA-32R-300s on the register
- Registration
- N7640F · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7780069
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot said that while he was in level cruise flight at 12,500 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and turned on the boost pump, but the engine did not respond. He put the airplane into a glide and headed towards the Salida, Colorado, Airport. The airplane landed short and struck a fence post. Postaccident examination disclosed the bolt that held the alternate air valve to the actuating shaft had failed. This allowed the alternate air valve to close, starving the engine of air. The other half of the bolt was found ingested in the No. 6 cylinder.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,800 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 7,740 as pilot in command; 2,200 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,700 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 1996
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PUB Pueblo CO at 1:00 pm
- Destination: GUC Gunnison CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 7,350 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from GUC, 54 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.