# NTSB DEN87IA056: Piper PA-31, N7559L, Denver, CO, February 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1987, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Denver, CO
- Coordinates: 39.759948, -104.920913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7599&lon=-104.9209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17135
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87IA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17135/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87IA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FROM A CARGO RAMP FOR TAKEOFF ON AN IFR FLT, THE ACFT TAXIED OFF THE RAMP INTO THE INFIELD ON THE ARPT AND CAME TO REST WITH THE ENGINES RUNNING. RAMP PERSONNEL BOARDED THE ACFT, SHUT THE ENGINES DOWN AND SUMMONED MEDICAL HELP FOR THE PLT WHO SUFFERED A SEIZURE-LIKE INCAPACITATION. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. HIS AIRMANS MEDICAL CERTIFICATION WAS SUSPENDED BY THE FAA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7559L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7559L-2005-03-24), registration cancelled 2005-03-24, S/N 31-7300946, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 317300946
- Airframe hours: 4044
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-A2C 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Western Aviators
- Registered owner: International Air Charter Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 20, 1987, 38 hours before
- Destination: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DEN, Stapleton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,200 total, 51 in this make and model, 5,138 as pilot in command, 225 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN

## 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 19870214003329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870214003329A), Feb 14, 1987: Piper PA31310, Denver, CO. The aircraft taxied into soft ground after the pilot had blacked out. Medical certificate suspended.

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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