# NTSB DEN87FA186: Mooney M20E, N71SB, Vail, CO, July 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1987, 10:52 local (16:52 UTC)
- Place: Vail, CO
- Coordinates: 39.640552, -106.390274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6406&lon=-106.3903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT PROCEEDED UP A BOX CANYON WHILE ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. WHEN UNABLE TO OUT CLIMB TERRAIN, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE DIRECTION. DURING THE TURN, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND CRASHED INTO TREES. THE PILOT HAD NOT RECEIVED INSTRUCTION IN MOUNTAIN FLYING. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE FATALLY INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71SB-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 565, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 565
- Airframe hours: 2823
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James E. Hollis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1987, 61 hours before
- Departed: EGE, EAGLE, CO
- Destination: FOE, TOPEKA, KS
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; military, commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,757 total, 58 in this make and model, 570 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 127 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EGE, 40 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 19870717079219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870717079219A), Jul 17, 1987: Mooney M20E, Vail, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into canyon which ended in a tight bowl. Attempted to reverse direction. Stalled. Crashed into trees.

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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