# NTSB DEN88DTE02: Boeing A75N1, N65110, Keenesburg, CO, November 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1987, 14:46 local (21:46 UTC)
- Place: Keenesburg, CO
- Coordinates: 40.099723, -104.509452 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0997&lon=-104.5095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88DTE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17326/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88DTE02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - wing,bracing strut - sheared (contributing factor)
  - wing - collapsed (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL AG PLT WAS STARTING A SPRAY RUN ON A NEW FIELD. DURING THE FIRST PASS, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWER LINE WIRES. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED LEFT AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A WINGS LEVEL, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. AN IMMEDIATE POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT. THE PLT WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE PLT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE LOCAL AREA, HOWEVER THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT HE HAD SURVEYED THIS PARTICULAR FIELD PRIOR TO BEGINNING OPERATIONS. EVIDENCE AND WITNESS STATEMENTS INDICATE THAT THE DECISION TO BEGIN THE NEW FIELD WAS MADE SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF HAVING ENOUGH CHEMICAL LEFT FOR ABOUT TWO MORE PASSES. WITNESS STATEMENTS INDICATE THAT THE ACFT PULLED UP IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE WIRES, BUT THE ATTEMPT FAILED. WIRE IMPACT DAMAGED THE LEFT WING MAIN STRUTS AND BOTH LEFT WINGS FAILED PRIOR TO IMPACT, ACCORDING TO A WITNESS' STATEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65110](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65110-1990-08-17), registration cancelled 1990-08-17, S/N 752627 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 752627
- Airframe hours: 6800
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Air Dusters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Dusters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1987, 175 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,322 total, 2,511 in this make and model, 3,268 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19871110063399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871110063399A), Nov 10, 1987: Boeing A75N1, Keenesburg, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck wires on a spray run. Crashed and burned.

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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