# NTSB DEN85FTK01: Boeing A75, N555, Tea, SD, May 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1985, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Tea, SD
- Coordinates: 43.439666, -96.830642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4397&lon=-96.8306&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): 16572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FTK01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FTK01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - interpretation of instructions - not understood, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE OWNER/PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL FLT WITH ANOTHER OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT WAS A COMMERCIAL, SINGLE-ENG, MULTI-ENG PLT WITH AN INSTRUCTOR RATING, BUT HE HAD NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN A75 ACFT. WHILE IN FLT, THE PIC ALLOWED THE FRONT SEAT PLT TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE ACFT. AS THE FRONT SEAT PLT ENTERED A TURN AT LOW ALT NEAR THE ARPT, THE PIC ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED IN THE TURN. AT THAT TIME, THE FRONT SEAT PLT THOUGHT THE PIC HAD TAKEN CONTROL OF THE ACFT; HE THOUGHT THEY WERE RETURNING BACK TO THE ARPT. THE ACFT CONTINUED TURNING & ENTERED A DESCENT. THE PIC THOUGHT THE FRONT SEAT PLT WAS STILL CONTROLLING THE ACFT & WAS GOING TO MAKE A LOW PASS. SINCE THE FRONT SEAT PLT WAS AN INSTRUCTOR WITH OVER 1000 HRS OF FLT TIME, THE PIC DID NOT QUESTION THE MANEUVER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND WHILE STILL IN A STEEP DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N555](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N555), registered now, S/N 75-1456, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1) (registry code 1380165) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming R680E series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680e-series) (registry code 41545, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-1456
- Airframe hours: 5250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leonard A. Winter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1984
- Departed: Y14

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 765 total, 110 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSD, 12 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 19850526020869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850526020869A), May 26, 1985: Boeing A75L300, Tea, SD, Destroyed. Both pilots thought the other was flying the airplane. Descended into ground.

## Other investigations on N555 (2)

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.

- [NTSB FTW82DA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA282), Jun 20, 1982: Boeing A75L300 (N555), Tulsa, OK, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA76DLD14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76DLD14), Sep 6, 1975: Boeing A75 (N555), St Petersburg, FL, substantial damage

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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