# NTSB CHI85FA379: Gulfstream 500-S, N8139P, Cloquet, MN, September 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1985, 22:05 local (Sep 17, 1985, 03:05 UTC)
- Place: Cloquet, MN
- Coordinates: 46.719074, -92.489662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7191&lon=-92.4897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12868
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA379
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12868/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA379

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPECTED THE WEATHER TO BE BELOW MINIMUMS BUT FLEW THE APPROACH ANYWAY. HE DID NOT HAVE A SECOND PILOT ON BOARD PER COMPANY RULES. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 17.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8139P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM 500-S
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3265
- Airframe hours: 4317
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-E1B5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Potlatch Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1985, 73 hours before
- Departed: BRD, BRAINERD, MN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,750 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLH, 14 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850916045449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850916045449A), Sep 16, 1985: Gulstm 500S, Cloquet, MN, Destroyed. Hit trees on adf final approach. Had descended below mda on previous approaches, according to another pilot.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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