# NTSB DEN86FA147: Piper PA-20-160, N5394Z, Buena Vista, CO, May 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1986, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Buena Vista, CO
- Coordinates: 38.830535, -106.140136 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8305&lon=-106.1401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA147

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - go-around - initiated
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHEN THE PLT TOOK OFF, THE WIND WAS LIGHT & VARIABLE. HOWEVER, WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE ARPT ABOUT 20 TO 30 MIN LATER, DARK THREATENING CLOUDS HAD MOVED INTO THE AREA. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON RWY 14. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT BOUNCED & WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY, THEN THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT BANKED & CLIMBED STEEPLY TO THE RIGHT IN A DOWNWIND DIRECTION, THEN IT SUDDENLY ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASHED IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5394Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5394Z-1989-08-21), registration cancelled 1989-08-21, S/N 229164 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-9164
- Airframe hours: 3979
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Four Wheel Deals
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1986, 0 hours before
- Departed: 7V1
- Airport: 7V1, Buena Vista Muni, runway 14, 9,125 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 157 total, 18 in this make and model, 76 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 27 knots, gusting 33
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft unknown
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 7V1

## Other investigations on N5394Z (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 DEN65F0008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN65F0008), Jan 29, 1965: Piper PA22 (N5394Z), Broomfield, CO, 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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