# NTSB DEN87FA023: Beech A36TC, N36TS, Steamboat Sprgs, CO, November 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1986, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Steamboat Sprgs, CO
- Coordinates: 40.469558, -106.81929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4696&lon=-106.8193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17083
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17083/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT AND FOUR PAXS WERE RETURNING HOME FROM A SKI VACATION. A WITNESS AT THE ARPT OBSERVED A NORMAL TAKEOFF AND SAW THE ACFT TURN TOWARDS AN AREA OF HIGH TERRAIN LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILES FROM THE STEAMBOAT ARPT. THE WITNESS OBSERVED N36TS CONTINUE ON A HEADING TOWARDS COPPER RIDGE AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO CLEAR THE SUMMIT. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET BELOW THE SUMMIT. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY A POST CRASH FIRE. PERFORMANCE CHARTS FOR THE ACFT INDICATED A RATE OF CLIMB OF 1,060 FPM AND A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES TO CLIMB FROM 6,879 FEET TO 8,400 FEET. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROL SYS, ENG OR PROP PRIOR TO THE INITIAL IMPACT. ATTEMPTS TO LOCATE THE PLTS LOG BOOKS FOR FLT TIME WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. TIME EST FROM MED RECORDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36TS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36TS-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N EA-221, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36TC
- Registry model: [Beech A36TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36tc) (registry code 1151603) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: EA 221
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 SERI 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randy Bacchus
- Registered owner: Kenneth W. Bacchus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 530 total, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBS, 2 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 19861129062219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861129062219A), Nov 29, 1986: Beech A36TC, Steamboat Spgs, CO, Destroyed, 4 fatal. The aircraft failed to clear a ridge on climbout and struck trees. Suspect pilot misjudged climb capability.

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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