# NTSB DEN84FA108: Piper PA-24-400, N400SB, Saratoga, WY, March 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1984, 22:17 local (Mar 8, 1984, 05:17 UTC)
- Place: Saratoga, WY
- Coordinates: 41.449279, -106.809181 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4493&lon=-106.8092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA108

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT X-COUNTRY AFTER A 16 HOUR DAY THE AIRLINE CAPTAIN FLYING HIS OWN ACFT HOME COLLIDED WITH A MOUNTAIN AT THE 10000 FT LEVEL. THE WEATHER WAS VMC BUT THE WINDS ALOFT WERE STRONG AND WOULD HAVE BLOWN THE ACFT TOWARDTHE MOUNTAIN HAD NO WIND CORRECTION ANGLE BEEN USED. THE ACFT WAS IN A STABLE SHALLOW DESCENT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED17 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N400SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N400SB-1992-12-28), registration cancelled 1992-12-28, S/N 26127 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26-127
- Airframe hours: 3186
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary L. Harsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1983, 52 hours before
- Departed: CPR, CASPER, WY
- Destination: SARATOGA, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19840307007439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840307007439A), Mar 7, 1984: Piper PA24400, Saratoga, WY, Substantial damage. Impacted a mountainside en route at night. Was off course on direct route that had lower terrain.

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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