# NTSB DEN82FA057: Mooney M20B, N74734, Near Salida, CO, April 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1982, 08:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Near Salida, CO
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA057

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING SALIDA AT APPROXIMATELY 0820 THE PLT RADIOED OVER UNICOM THAT THE CLOUDS IN THE LOCAL AREA HAD BASES OF 12,500 FT MSL & TOPS AT 16,500 FT MSL. ABOUT 15 MIN LATER THE ACFT IMPACTED A MOUNTAIN AT THE 13,500 FT LEVEL. THERE WERE FLT PRECAUTIONS OVER & NEAR THE MOUNTAINS OF WYOMING & COLORADO FOR OCCASIONAL MODERATE TURBULENCE BELOW 20,000 FT WITH STRONG UP DRAFTS ALONG THE EASTERN SLOPES. ALSO MOUNTAINS OF WYOMING & COLORADO OCCASIONALLY OBSCURED ABOVE 7,000 TO 10,000 FT WITH CLOUDS & SNOW. AT 0845 A HELICOPTER PLT REPORTED UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VFR OVER THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE FROM CORONA PASS TO ESTES PARK DUE TO BLOWING SNOW & CLOUDS OBSCURING THE MOUNTAINS. THE PAX HELD A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WITH AN INSTRUMENT RATING BUT REPORTEDLY DID NOT MEET THE CURRENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR IFR FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74734](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74734-1983-04-01), registration cancelled 1983-04-01, S/N 1734 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20B
- Registry model: [Mooney M20B](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20b) (registry code 5870206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1734
- Airframe hours: 3042
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Trueman C. Wood
- Registered owner: Cedaredge Aviation Inc
- Departed: OVZ, SALIDA, CO
- Destination: GUC, GUNNISON, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,085 total, 672 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## 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 19820406008469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820406008469A), Apr 6, 1982: Mooney M20B, Salida, CO, Destroyed. Impacted mountainside in wings level descent attitude. Mountains obscured by snowshowers and clouds.

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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