# NTSB DEN88FA021: Piper PA-28-181, N8266U, Durango, CO, November 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1987, 12:34 local (19:34 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.269306, -107.879302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2693&lon=-107.8793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA021

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot passenger (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot passenger (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE TWO PAX HAD CHARTERED N8266U FOR A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT OF THE LOCAL AREA. THE CHARTER PLT, A CFI FOUND THAT ONE OF THE PAX WAS A PLT AND PERMITTED HIM TO FLY THE ACFT. THE PAX EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN SPOTTING ELK AND FLEW THE ACFT INTO A CANYON, BELOW THE CANYON RIDGE LINE. THE ACFT APPROACHED THE END OF THE CANYON AND THE PLT EXECUTED A LEFT TURN. THE BACK SEAT PAX STATED THE STALL WARN HORN SOUNDED DURING THE TURN. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE ACFT BUT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER BEFORE THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE TERRAIN RISES TO ABOVE 10,000 FT. THE CALCULATED CLIMB RATE WAS DETERMINED TO BE 200 FT PER MIN APPROX.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8266U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8266U-1991-03-27), registration cancelled 1991-03-27, S/N 288390002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8390002
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Durango Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Newton Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 1987
- Departed: DRO, DURANGO, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,290 total, 129 in this make and model, 1,060 as pilot in command, 365 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 15 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 19871104082149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871104082149A), Nov 4, 1987: Piper PA28181, Durango, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Allowed passenger pilot to fly up a canyon to spot elk at a low altitude. Crashed into rising terrain 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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