NTSB Identification: DEN87FA008.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 32843.
Accident occurred Wednesday, October 22, 1986 in BUFFALO, WY
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/07/1988
Aircraft: MOONEY M20B, registration: N74739
Injuries: 1 Fatal,1 Serious.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.AT APRX 1720 MDT, TOWER PSNL AT THE DEP ARPT RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE PLT. HE SAID HE WISHED TO DEPART WITH AN INOP 2-WAY RADIO. HE WAS ADVISED THAT IMC PREVAILED & THAT A RADIO WOULD BE REQUIRED TO DEPART WITH AN IFR OR SPECIAL VFR CLNC. AT 1907 (AFTER OBTAINING A PORTABLE 2-WAY RADIO) THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT REQUESTED & RECEIVED CLNC FOR A SPECIAL VFR DEPARTURE. HE TOOK OFF WITH A PAX ABOARD, & AT 1917, RPRTD CLEAR OF THE CONTROL ZONE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN MTNS AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 9500'. INITIAL IMPACT WAS WITH TREES ON RISING TERRAIN AS THE ACFT WAS IN WINGSLVL FLT. THE SURVIVING PAX RPRTD ICE ON THE WINGS & SAID THE ENG WAS RUNNING ROUGH. ALSO, HE SAID THEY WERE FLYING IN SNOW, & WHEN THE PLT PULLED THE CARB HEAT CTL, IT CAME OUT IN HIS HAND; THE CABLE WAS FND BROKEN NR THE BUTTERFLY VLV & ICE & SNOW WERE FND IN THE CARB AIR INTAKE OPENING. CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & URINE SHOWED ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.031% & 0.034%, RESPECTIVELY. COCAINE, METHYL ECGONINE & METHAMPHETAMINE WERE DETECTED IN HIS URINE, BUT NONE FND IN HIS BLOOD.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
JUDGMENT..POOR..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
IMPAIRMENT(ALCOHOL)..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
FUEL SYSTEM,RAM AIR/INDUCTION AIR..BLOCKED(PARTIAL)
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL,CABLE/PUSH-PULL ROD..FAILURE,TOTAL
Contributing Factors
PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION..INADEQUATE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES..NOT FOLLOWED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
COMM/NAV EQUIPMENT..INOPERATIVE
Contributing Factors
OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT..INTENTIONAL..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER..INITIATED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..LOW CEILING
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..FOG
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..CLOUDS
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..SNOW
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..ICING CONDITIONS
Contributing Factors
LIGHT CONDITION..DARK NIGHT
Contributing Factors
WING..ICE
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..RISING
Index for Oct1986 | Index of months