# NTSB DEN86FA208: Piper PA-46-310P, N4346L, Boulder, CO, July 26, 1986 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1986, 07:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Boulder, CO - Coordinates: 40.020263, -105.249458 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0203&lon=-105.2495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 16836 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16836/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA208 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, maneuvering - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - vertical stabilizer surface - separation - flight control,rudder - separation - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - object - vehicle - object - none suitable - Midair collision, maneuvering - distance - misjudged, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT FOR BOTH ACFT WAS AN AERIAL PHOTO MISSION. N5113S WAS USED AS THE CAMERA PLATFORM. THE PLTS OF N5113S AND N4346L DISCUSSED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PROCEDURES OF THE FLT. BOTH ACFT DEPARTED AND FLEW A COURSE TO POSITION THE AIRPLANES ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. N5113S WAS TO THE EAST AND SLIGHTLY ABOVE AND AHEAD OF N4346L. THE PHOTOGRAPHER SHOT ONE ROLL OF FILM AND RELOADED. HE WAS READY TO BEGIN SHOOTING WHEN N4346L BEGAN TO CLOSE IN ON N5113S. THE PLT OF N5113S FELT TWO 'BUMPS' AS N4346L CLOSED, AND DID NOT SEE THE ACFT PASS UNDER. THE PLT OF N5113S MANEUVERED HIS ACFT TO DETERMINE CONTROLLABILITY AND SAW N4346L SPIRALLING TO THE GROUND. EXAM OF N4346L REVEALED THE VERT STAB AND RUDDER HAD SEPARATED IN-FLIGHT. THERE WERE NUMEROUS PAINT SMEARS FOUND ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF N5113S. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT FOR BOTH ACFT WAS AN AERIAL PHOTO MISSION. N5113S WAS USED AS THE CAMERA PLATFORM. THE PLTS OF N5113S AND N4346L DISCUSSED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PROCEDURES OF THE FLT. BOTH ACFT DEPARTED AND FLEW A COURSE TO POSITION THE AIRPLANES ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. N5113S WAS TO THE EAST AND SLIGHTLY ABOVE AND AHEAD OF N4346L. THE PHOTOGRAPHER SHOT ONE ROLL OF FILM AND RELOADED. HE WAS READY TO BEGIN SHOOTING WHEN N4346L BEGAN TO CLOSE IN ON N5113S. THE PLT OF N5113S FELT TWO 'BUMPS' AS N4346L CLOSED, AND DID NOT SEE THE ACFT PASS UNDER. THE PLT OF N5113S MANEUVERED HIS ACFT TO DETERMINE CONTROLLABILITY AND SAW N4346L SPIRALLING TO THE GROUND. EXAM OF N4346L REVEALED THE VERT STAB AND RUDDER HAD SEPARATED IN-FLIGHT. THERE WERE NUMEROUS PAINT SMEARS FOUND ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON N5113S. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N4346L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4346L-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 46-8408038, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310P - Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46-8408038 - Airframe hours: 382 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-BE1 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Lowell T. Dugan, doing business as Four Winds Aviation - Registered owner: High Winds Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1986, 0 hours before - Departed: IV5 ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N5113S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5113S-2002-12-10), registration cancelled 2002-12-10, S/N R18201507, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TR-182 - Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18201507 - Airframe hours: 1362 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: John Barkin - Registered owner: Mays Aircraft Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1986, 68 hours before - Departed: IV5 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N4346L; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,255 total, 83 in this make and model, 1,104 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft N5113S; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,343 total, 114 in this make and model, 1,245 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC, 12 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19860726034951A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860726034951A), Jul 26, 1986: Piper PA46310P, Boulder, CO, Destroyed. The aircraft struck N5113S during a formation flight. The rudder was torn off this plane and it impacted the ground - [Accident 19860726034952A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860726034952A), Jul 26, 1986: Cessna TR182, Boulder, CO, Minor damage. The aircraft was struck by N4346L during a formation flight. This aircraft landed safely. 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.