...Exited The Left Side Of The Runway, Went Into A Ditch Where The Landing Gear Impacted A Sign

Location: Calhan, CO Accident Number: CEN22LA165
Date & Time: April 3, 2022, 17:55 Local Registration: N9119W
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-235 Injuries: 3 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 3, 2022, about 1755 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235, N9119W sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Calhan, Colorado. The pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Video surveillance of the accident showed the airplane cross the runway threshold and it remained airborne until past the 1st taxiway and appeared to touchdown near the 2nd taxiway before it bounced. It then exited the left side of the runway, went into a ditch where the landing gear impacted a sign. The airplane then pitched up, consistent with an attempted go-around or balked landing attempt, and impacted a building. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.

Damage to the airport property revealed that the airplane departed the left side of runway 15 just before the A3 taxiway sign. The airplane damaged the sign, and several runway and taxiway lights, before it traveled through a drainage ditch, became airborne again, and impacted a hanger on the south side of taxiway F.

A post-accident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the left wing was separated from the airplane consistent with impact forces and the aileron cable exhibited a broomstaw, or frayed appearance, consistent with an overload separation. The fuselage and right wing were impact damaged, which precluded movement of the remaining flight controls.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov