# NTSB DEN83FTE09: Link-Johnson-Chessman HP-16, N9025N, Eldorado Sprgs., CO, June 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1983, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Eldorado Sprgs., CO
- Coordinates: 39.940795, -105.280982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9408&lon=-105.2810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16013
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FTE09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16013/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTE09

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN WHILE MANEUVERING DURING VMC WEATHER. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE GLIDER IMPACTED THE FACE OF BEAR PEAK MOUNTAIN NEAR THE 7900 FT. LEVEL. THE FUSELAGE WAS CRUSHED THE WINGS SEPARATED AND THE PILOT, WHO HAD UNDONE HIS RESTRAINT SYSTEM, WAS THROWN FROM THE ACFT AND WAS LOCATED ABOUT 100 FT DOWN THE MOUNTAIN FACE. THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT SURVIVABLE DUE TO IMPACT FORCES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9025N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LINK-JOHNSON-CHESSMAN HP-16
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 94
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Link Johnson Chessman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 21, 1983, 4 hours before
- Departed: IV5, BOULDER, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 203 total, 40 in this make and model, 173 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F

## 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 19830604022349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830604022349A), Jun 4, 1983: Amtr HP16, Eldorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Struck the side of a mountain. Possible factors, downdraft and mujudgement no witnesses.

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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