# NTSB DEN87FA130: Piper PA-31T-620II, N2336X, Cody, WY, May 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1987, 17:22 local (23:22 UTC)
- Place: Cody, WY
- Coordinates: 44.51052, -109.049476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5105&lon=-109.0495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17109/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA130

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, circling (ifr)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, circling (ifr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N2336X WAS ON A BUSINESS FLT TO CODY, WY. THE PILOT EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT OF THE VOR-A APPROACH. A PILOT WHO LANDED AT CODY MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT SAID THE VISIBILITY HAD DECREASED TO 3/4 OF A MI WHEN N2336X MADE THE FIRST APPROACH AND APPROX 1/2 MI WHEN N2336X CRASHED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. THE SAS SERVO ARM WAS FOUND IN THE FULL UP POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE LOW ATTITUDE ON A HEADING THAT WAS OPPOSITE TO THE DIRECTION OF FLIGHT. APP MINS AT CODY ARE 5800 FT & 1 MILE VIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2336X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2336X-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N 31T8120002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T-620II (PA-31T-620)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (registry code 7103124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T8120002
- Engines: P&W PT6A-28 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert V. Burggfraf
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: IDA, IDAHO FALS, ID
- Destination: COD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: COD, E.E. Faust Regional, runway 22, 8,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,500 total, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COD

## 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 19870520014829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870520014829A), May 20, 1987: Piper PA31T, Cody, WY, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Crashed while executing an instrument approach. Flew below approach altitude. Hit the ground wing down nose low.

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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