# NTSB DEN86FA259: Cessna 340A, N6663G, Crawford, CO, September 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1986, 17:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Crawford, CO
- Coordinates: 38.700546, -107.600013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7005&lon=-107.6000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA259

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - hazardous weather advisory - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A VFR FLT WITH NO FLT PLAN FILED OR WX BRIEFING. HE ENCOUNTERED A WX SQUALL LINE EN ROUTE WITH LOW CEILINGS, FOG, MIXED RAIN AND SNOW. WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER VFR THROUGH THE WX AT A LOW ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ACFT ENTERED CLOUDS AND IMPACTED TERRAIN AT 7,500 FEET MSL IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6663G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6663G-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 340A0693, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0693
- Airframe hours: 1560
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Andrew H. Christensen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1986, 88 hours before
- Departed: GUC, GUNNISON, CO
- Destination: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; 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: 2,241 total, 1,420 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTJ, 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 19860925048859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860925048859A), Sep 25, 1986: Cessna 340A, Crawford, CO, Destroyed, 4 fatal. The aircraft impacted high terrain in IFR weather. The pilot attempted VFR flight in an area of a squall line.

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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