# NTSB DEN86FA216: Piper PA-32-260, N3621W, Lander, WY, August 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1986, 19:52 local (Aug 5, 1986, 01:52 UTC)
- Place: Lander, WY
- Coordinates: 42.830314, -108.71907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8303&lon=-108.7191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16841
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16841/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA216

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT DEPARTED LANDER, WYOMING, ARPT IN HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS AND IN AN OVER GROSS WEIGHT CONDITION. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER RISING TERRAIN UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED IN A POST ACCIDENT FIRE AND TWO PAX WAS FATALLY INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3621W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-522
- Airframe hours: 5706
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: O. David Dickson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: LND, LANDER, WY
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 837 total, 472 in this make and model, 627 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LND, 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 19860804083879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860804083879A), Aug 4, 1986: Piper PA32260, Lander, WY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Plane was unable to climb above terrain. Pilot failed to calculated density altitude or proper weight and balance.

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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