# NTSB DEN84FA008: Convair 340/440, N199CF, Pierre, SD, October 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1983, 22:36 local (Oct 20, 1983, 03:36 UTC)
- Place: Pierre, SD
- Coordinates: 44.369369, -100.319213 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3694&lon=-100.3192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16174/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA008

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, copilot/second pilot
  - raising of flaps - premature, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING AT PIERRE, SD, 2070 LBS OF CARGO WAS OFF-LOADED FROM THE AFT SECTION OF THE AFT & A NEW WT & BALANCE WAS CALCULATED. THE AIRCREW THEN PREPARED TO TAKEOFF IN CONDITIONS OF LOW CEILING & FOG. THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) INITIATED THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THEN AT ABOUT 80 KTS, THE COPILOT ASSUMED CONTROL AS PREBRIEFED. THE TAKEOFF WAS REPORTED AS NORMAL UNTIL THE FLAPS WERE RETRACTED. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE COPILOT SAW RED LIGHTS AHEAD. HE ASSUMED THE LIGHTS WERE ON RADIO ANTENNA TOWERS & PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE WHILE BANKING RIGHT TO MISS THE OBJECTS. THE RED LIGHTS WERE ACTUALLY ON SMALL STRUCTURES (SHED & LIGHTING SYSTEMS) AT THE NORTH END OF RWY 31. WHILE TAKING EVASIVE ACTION, THE RIGHT WING DUG INTO THE SOFT GROUND & THE PLANE CRASHED. WITNESS SAID THE ACFT WAS IN A SHALLOW CLIMB AFTER LIFT-OFF. ONE WITNESS SAID IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 100 FT, THEN APPEAR TO LOSE ALT. THE ELEVATOR TRIM SURFACES WERE FOUND IN THE 1 TO 2 DEG UP-TRIM POSITION. ACCORDING TO PROCEDURES, THE FLAPS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RETRACTED UNTIL ABOVE 400 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N199CF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N199CF-2011-06-03), registration cancelled 2011-06-03, S/N 199 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONVAIR 340/440
- Registry model: [Convair 340](https://openairdocs.org/model/convair-340) (registry code 242270A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 199
- Airframe hours: 48327
- Engines: P&W R-2800 2400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Combs Airways Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 17, 1983, 10 hours before
- Destination: BIS, BISMARK, ND
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PIR, Pierre Muni, runway 31, 6,898 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,570 total, 2,600 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19831019073799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831019073799A), Oct 19, 1983: Cvac 440, Pierre, SD, Substantial damage. Aircraft settled back into ground during takeoff. Indications are that flaps were raised too soon after liftoff.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.