# NTSB DEN84LA178: Beech V35A, N7695N, Dove Creek, CO, June 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1984, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Dove Creek, CO
- Coordinates: 37.760562, -108.899642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7606&lon=-108.8996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16399/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA178

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - climb - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED HAZY WX AFTER CROSSING THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE. NEAR MONTROSE, CO, HE DEVIATED ABOUT 50 MI NORTH TO AVOID ADVERSE WX. HE WAS UNABLE TO GET THRU, SO HE PROCEEDED BACK TO MONTROSE TO SKIRT THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE WX. HE STATED THAT NEAR DOVE CREEK 'A STORM MOVED IN' & THE WX 'STARTED LOOKING BAD.' HE INITIATED A CLIMB FROM 8500 FT MSL TO 12,500 FT MSL & WAS 'TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE AREA' WHEN SEVERE TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED. HE STATED THAT HE WAS CLIMBING THRU 11,500 AT 110 KTS WHEN 'ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE.' ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE TURBULENCE FLIPPED THE ACFT INVERTED & FORCED IT INTO A CLOUD BANK. HE SAID THE ACFT WAS CARRIED DOWN & UP SEVERAL TIMES, LOSING & GAINING ABOUT 2000 FT EACH TIME. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE RECOVERED AT ABOUT 10,550 FT & AFTER APRX ANOTHER 30 SECONDS IN THE TURBULENCE, HE PROCEEDED TO HIS DESTINATION. AFTER LANDING SEVERAL 'RIPPLE' WERE FOUND IN THE WING SKIN. LATER, A MORE THOROUGH EXAM REVEALED EXTENSIVE INTERNAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7695N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7695N), registered now, S/N D-8870, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35A
- Registry model: [Beech V35A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35a) (registry code 1151544) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-8870
- Airframe hours: 2931
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Duane Harkwell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1984
- Departed: 1V5, BOULDER, CO
- Destination: PGA, PAGE, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,518 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 50 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 19840606026439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840606026439A), Jun 6, 1984: Beech V35A, Dove Creek, CO, Substantial damage. Encountered clouds and severe turbulence. Aircraft was tossed briefly inverted. Design load exceeded damaged wings.

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.