# NTSB DEN86FA231: North American AT-6D, N9813C, Redcliff, CO, August 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1986, 16:33 local (22:33 UTC)
- Place: Redcliff, CO
- Coordinates: 39.500053, -106.360893 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5001&lon=-106.3609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA231

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A HUSBAND & WIFE RPRTD THAT THE ACFT FLEW NEAR THEIR HOUSE AT A VERY LOW ALT, THEN CLIMBED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SUN TO CLEAR OVER A BRIDGE. MOMENTS LATER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES THAT WERE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 2 TOWERS. THE TOWERS WERE LOCATED ATOP ROCK FORMATIONS NEAR THE BRIDGE & WERE 1027' APART. IMPACT WITH THE LINES OCCURRED NEAR WHERE THEY DROOPED TO THEIR LOWEST POINT ABOUT 250' AGL. AFTER HITTING THE POWER LINES, THE ACFT CONTD TO FLY, BUT THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED INTO TREES ON MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9813C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9813C), registered now, S/N 84995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6D
- Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 84995
- Airframe hours: 5132
- Engines: P&W R1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles E. Lewis, Jr.
- Registered owner: Charles E. Lewis Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1986, 44 hours before
- Departed: LXV, LEADVILLE, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private, commercial, military, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total, 53 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EGE, 25 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 19860815040269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860815040269A), Aug 15, 1986: Namer SNJ5, Redcliff, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft struck a wire during low altitude maneuvering and then hit the ground. Sun obscured a powerline.

## Other investigations on N9813C (2)

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 DEN08CA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA154), Sep 5, 2008: North American SNJ-5 (N9813C), Leadville, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.
- [NTSB NYC66F0166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66F0166), Aug 14, 1965: No American SNJ-5 (N9813C), Monroeville, PA, 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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