# NTSB DEN86MA241: Cessna 441, N2727A, Lander, WY, August 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1986, 23:13 local (Aug 29, 1986, 05:13 UTC)
- Place: Lander, WY
- Coordinates: 42.83073, -108.719833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8307&lon=-108.7198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 7 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17062
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86MA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17062/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86MA241

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - physical impairment, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON 5/1/86, THE PLT HAD AN ACOUSTIC TUMOR REMOVED FM HIS RGT EAR WHICH INCLUDED THE REMOVAL OF THE 8TH NERVE (BALANCE NERVE). HIS ATTENDING PHYSICIAN SUGGESTED APRX A 1 YR PERIOD OF RECUPERATION DUE TO EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TYPE OF SURGERY. ON 7/12/86, HE HAD A 1ST CLASS MEDICAL EXAM & RECEIVED A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WHICH WAS VALID FOR FLT TEST ONLY. ON 8/28/86, WHILE TAKING OFF AT NGT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN APRX 1.5 MI FM THE END OF THE RWY AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 5600'. THE ARPT ELEV WAS 5586'. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE SAW THE ACFT TAKEOFF, BUT IT DID NOT CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACDNT OCCURRED IN AN AREA THAT WAS ISOLATED FM GND LGTS. A POST CRASH EXAM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS, ENG OR PROPELLERS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S LOG BOOK, HIS LAST NGT FLT WAS ON 3/22/85. HE HAD BEEN ON DUTY FOR APRX 14 HRS WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2727A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 441
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 441-201
- Airframe hours: 1245
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE 331 636 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Denver Air Center, doing business as Skycab
- Registered owner: Nolan'S Rv Center Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 8, 1986
- Destination: RIV, RIVERTON, WY
- Airport: LND, Hunt, runway 21, 5,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 18,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860828043709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860828043709A), Aug 28, 1986: Cessna 441, Lander, WY, Destroyed, 6 fatal. The aircraft flew into the ground shortly after a night takeoff. Suspect pilot became disoriented. Inner ear defect

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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