# NTSB DEN85LA188: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8409V, Glen Canyon, UT, July 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1985, 21:45 local (Jul 14, 1985, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Glen Canyon, UT
- Coordinates: 37.270008, -112.230865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2700&lon=-112.2309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16724
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16724/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - company-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by others, other person (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AT NIGHT FROM AN UNLIT RUNWAY, HE WAS DISTRACTED WHEN THE ENGINE OVERBOOST LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PLT WAS ACTUALLY TRYING TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH AN AIRPLANE AT THE OTHER END OF THE RUNWAY THAT WAS BEING USED FOR DIRECTIONAL GUIDANCE. THIS WAS AN FAR 135 AIR TAXI FLT WITH PASSENGERS ABOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8409V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8409V-2011-07-20), registration cancelled 2011-07-20, S/N 32R-8129085, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8129085
- Airframe hours: 14538
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Alpine Aviation
- Registered owner: Better Telephone Co.,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1985, 38 hours before
- Destination: PVU, PROVO, UT
- Airport: U07, Bullfrog Basin, runway 1, 3,500 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,339 total, 63 in this make and model, 1,209 as pilot in command, 269 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDC, 105 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 19850713034069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850713034069A), Jul 13, 1985: Piper PA32R301T, Glen Canyon, UT, Destroyed. Used other airplane to mark opposite end of unlit runway. Takeoff roll too long, veered left to miss, struck fence.

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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