# NTSB DEN86FA066: Beech V35B, N6735T, Leadville, CO, January 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1986, 14:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Leadville, CO
- Coordinates: 39.240848, -106.290992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2408&lon=-106.2910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA066

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(anoxia/hypoxia), pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED PUEBLO, COLORADO ON A VFR FLT TOWARD AN APPROACHING FRONTAL WX SYSTEM. RADAR DATA SHOWED THE ACFT CLIMBED TO AN ALTITUDE OF 18,200 FT MSL, WITH ERRATIC MANEUVERING IN THE VICINITY OF ACCIDENT SITE. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT 13,200 FT MSL IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PLT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE UNPRESSURIZED ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6735T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6735T-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N D-10374, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (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-10374
- Airframe hours: 980
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randy F. Harber
- Registered owner: Dennis M. Way
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1985, 44 hours before
- Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Destination: EGE, EAGLE, CO
- Airport: LXV, Leadville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 153 total, 35 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 15 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 19860117000819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860117000819A), Jan 17, 1986: Beech V35B, Leadville, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impact at 13200 ft in an inverted nose down attitude. Hypoxia possible. Operated up to 18000 ft with no oxygen aboard

## Other investigations on N6735T (1)

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 FTW85LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA096), Jan 14, 1985: Beech V35B (N6735T), Amarillo, TX, 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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