# NTSB DEN87LA044: Beech A36, N6321X, Taos, NM, January 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1987, 18:11 local (Jan 21, 1987, 01:11 UTC)
- Place: Taos, NM
- Coordinates: 36.380977, -105.569587 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3810&lon=-105.5696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17162
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17162/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA044

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING A NIGHT VFR LANDING APPROACH TO RWY 22 AT TAOS, NEW MEXICO, WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK SOME HIGH VOLTAGE POWER TRANSMISSION LINES RUNNING PERPENDICULAR TO THE RWY. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT AND LANDED IT SUCCESSFULLY. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, HOWEVER, THE PLT WAS NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6321X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6321X), registered now, S/N E-2026, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E2026
- Airframe hours: 521
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520 BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillip C. Kidd
- Registered owner: Philip C. Kidd Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 1986, 81 hours before
- Departed: OUN, NORMAN, OK
- Destination: SKX, TAOS, NM
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: SKX, Taos Minicipal, runway 22, 5,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,880 total, 25 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870120000889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870120000889A), Jan 20, 1987: Beech A36, Taos, NM, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit powerlines during a night approach. Wires were published as hazardous during night operations.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.