# NTSB DEN87IA059: Boeing 737-2A6, N145AW, Durango, CO, February 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1987, 23:13 local (Feb 26, 1987, 06:13 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.269454, -107.879394 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2695&lon=-107.8794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 48 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87IA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87IA059

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - reversers - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve

## Analysis

AMERICA WEST AIRLINES FLT 166, A BOEING 737, DEPARTED PHOENIX, AZ, EN ROUTE TO DURANGO, CO. DURING THE ILS APCH TO DURANGO'S RWY 02 IN IMC, THE CAPTAIN USED A 10-15 DEGREE CRAB ANGLE TO MAINTAIN THE LOCALIZER COURSE. UPON TOUCHDOWN APRX 1000-1300 FT FROM RWY THRESHOLD, THE SPEEDBRAKES DEPLOYED AUTOMATICALLY. THE ACFT STARTED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT OF RWY CENTERLINE. THE CAPTAIN APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER AND RIGHT NOSEWHEEL STEERING WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. REVERSE THRUST WAS NOT EMPLOYED. APRX 3000 FT FROM THE RWY THRESHOLD, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SANK IN SOFT SNOW ALONG THE RWY EDGE AND AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO A HALT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N145AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N145AW-2001-06-21), registration cancelled 2001-06-21, S/N 20194 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-2A6
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-2A6](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-2a6) (registry code 138448B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20194
- Airframe hours: 8479
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9A 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: America West Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DRO, Durango-La Plata, runway 2, 9,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,613 total, 2,363 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19870225015159I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870225015159I), Feb 25, 1987: Boeing 7372A6, Durango, CO, Minor damage. The aircraft departed the side of the runway on landing. Snow obscured runway markings.

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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