- Date
- May 16, 1984, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place
- Grand Junction, CO
- Injuries
- 2 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N714PMCessna A185F
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19840516017149A
- Case key
- 16381
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The plt-in-command (PIC) was checking out another plt on a pipeline route. The copilot was occupying the left seat & was flying the acft. While surveying the pipeline, they proceeded north up a canyon toward Douglas pass. No turbulence & little effect from the wind was noted as they were en route to the pass. As they apchd the pass. A climb was started with climb power. However, about 1/2 mi from the pass, & several hundred ft below it, a downdraft was encountered. The PIC took control, applied full power & turned to crest a hill & descend in a valley. He then noticed he was sinking too fast & turned in the opposited direction. Subsequently, the acft crashed at an elevation of about 8000 ft.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N714PM
- Reported as
- Cessna A185F
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18504408
- Airframe hours
- 654
- Engine
- Continental 10-520-D, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Northwest Pipeline Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · May 5, 1984
- Destination
- Pocatello, ID
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 45
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 7,325 total · 1,500 in this make and model · 7,075 as pilot in command · 230 in the last 90 days · 7 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 16 knots
- Visibility
- 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- GJT, 40 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.