# NTSB DEN84LA151: Cessna A185F, N714PM, Grand Junction, CO, May 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1984, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Grand Junction, CO
- Location: 39.0639° N, 108.5506° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Junction, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0639&lon=-108.5506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16381/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA151

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N714PM-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 18504408, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504408
- Airframe hours: 654
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840516017149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840516017149A), May 16, 1984: Cessna A185F, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft caught in downdraft during pipeline patrol. Aircraft collided with ground although full power was applied.

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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