# NTSB DEN83AA032: Swearingen SA-227AC, N30093, Pueblo, CO, December 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1982, 19:07 local (Dec 8, 1982, 02:07 UTC)
- Place: Pueblo, CO
- Location: 38.2544° N, 104.6091° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pueblo, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2544&lon=-104.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83AA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72321/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83AA032

## Analysis

AT 1906 THE FLT WAS CLEARED TO DESCEND & MAINTAIN 7,500 FT, TURN RIGHT TO A HEADING 040 FOR AN ASR APCH TO PUEBLO MEMORIAL ARPT, & THAT THE MDA IS 5,200. THE FLT READ BACK "LEFT TO ONE FORTY FIVE TWO ZERO ZERO." APPROACH CONTROL ADVISED THE FLT THAT THE HEADING WAS 040 & THE FLT ACKNOWLEDGED. THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE FLT. THE ACFT WAS TRAVELLING IN EXCESS OF AN ESTIMATED 200 MPH WHEN IT STRUCK TUNDRA IN LEVEL FLIGHT ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 040. THE COPLT'S AUTOPSY REVEALED THAT THE TRACHAE, BRONCHI, & LUNGS CONTAINED ASPIRATED GASTRIC CONTENTS, INCLUDING SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBERS. ANOTHER COMPANY PLT REPORTED THAT THE COPLT HAD VOMITED DURING A FLT ON 11/14/82.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - physical impairment, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30093](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30093-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N AC-449 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-227AC
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA227-AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa227-ac) (registry code 8780603) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC-449
- Airframe hours: 2269
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331 1000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Pioneer Airlines
- Registered owner: Pioneer Airlines
- Departed: C, SANTA FE, NM
- Destination: C, PUEBLO, CO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,534 total, 945 in this make and model, 234 as pilot in command, 234 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PUB, 20 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 19821207062749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821207062749A), Dec 7, 1982: Swrngn SA227AC, Pueblo, CO, Destroyed. Flew into ground at 200 knots in level flight on asr approach. Possible sick copilot distraction. Food in lungs.

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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