# NTSB DCA88MA017: Fairchild SA-227AC, N68TC, Bayfield, CO, January 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1988, 19:20 local (Jan 20, 1988, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Bayfield, CO
- Coordinates: 37.230102, -107.590927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2301&lon=-107.5909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 9 fatal, 1 serious, 6 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA88MA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15895/pdf
- Board report AAR8901 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8901.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA88MA017

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - snow
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - ifr procedure - improper, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - proper descent rate - excessive, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING AS CONTINENTAL EXPRESS FLIGHT 2286. DURING THE APPROACH IN IFR CONDITIONS, THE AIRCRAFT WENT BELOW THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE THEN STRUCK THE TERRAIN AT 7180 FEET MSL. EXAM OF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PRE-IMPACT FAILURES OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE COPILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRPLANE DURING THE APPROACH. EVALUATION OF THE RADAR DATA SHOWED AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT BEFORE THE COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. POST- MORTEM TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION SHOWED THAT THE CAPTAIN HAD USED COCAINE PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. THE SAFTEY BOARD CONCLUDED THAT THIS USE HAD ADVERSLY AFFECTED HIS ABILITY TO MONITOR THE UNSTABILIZED APPROACH FLOWN BY THE COPILOT. RECORDS OF BOTH CREWMEMBERS REVEALED PRIOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND ACCIDENTS, AND, IN THE CASE OF THE CAPTAIN, A PREVIOUS AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT. EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS INDICATED THAT A 10 TO 15 KNOT TAILWIND CONDITION EXISTED THROUGHOUT THE APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68TC-1989-05-18), registration cancelled 1989-05-18, S/N AC457 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD SA-227AC
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA227-AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa227-ac) (registry code 8780603) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC 457
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-114 1000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Trans Colorado Airlines, doing business as Trans Colorado
- Registered owner: Trans-Colorado Airlines, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Destination: DRO, DURANGO, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DRO, Durango, runway 20, 9,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,184 total, 3,028 in this make and model, 2,651 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 5 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 19880119048939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880119048939A), Jan 19, 1988: Swrngn SA227AC, Durango, CO, Destroyed, 9 fatal. F/o flying. Captains ineffective monitoring of an unstabilized approach resulted in descent below approach profile.

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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