# NTSB DEN88FA061: Convair 580, N5808, Durango, CO, February 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1988, 20:32 local (Feb 3, 1988, 03:32 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.269554, -107.880897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2696&lon=-107.8809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA061

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway marking - foreign substance covered (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - slush covered (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snowbank
  - airport facilities,centerline lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unapproved (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING AN IFR APPROACH, THE PILOT MADE A GO-AROUND BECAUSE HE WAS BLINDED BY THE REFLECTION OF THE LANDING/TAXI LIGHTS AGAINST THE FALLING SNOW.  THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE SECOND APPROACH.  THE PILOT SAID HE SENSED THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTING TO THE LEFT AND HE TRIED TO CORRECT, BUT IT COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF AIRCRAFT HYDROPLANING OR SKIDDING.  AIRPORT MANAGEMENT ELECTED TO DELAY PLOWING THE RUNWAY FOR FEAR OF IT FREEZING OVER.  PASSENGERS CLAIMED THERE WAS 2-3 INCHES OF SNOW ON TOP OF A 3/4- INCH LAYER OF SLUSH.  FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE OF VARIOUS INTENSITIES BECAUSE SOME UNAPPROVED LIGHT BULBS OF DIFFERENT AMPERAGE WERE USED.  THE RUNWAY WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CENTERLINE LIGHTING.  THE PAINTED WHITE CENTERLINE STRIPE WAS COVERED BY SNOW AND SLUSH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5808](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5808-1988-07-26), registration cancelled 1988-07-26, S/N 348 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONVAIR 580
- Registry model: [Convair 440](https://openairdocs.org/model/convair-440) (registry code 2422902) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 348
- Airframe hours: 53781
- Engines: ALLISON 501D-13-H 3750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Aspen Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 23, 1988, 66 hours before
- Departed: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Destination: DRO, DURANGO, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DRO, La Plata County, runway 2, 9,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,342 total, 2,858 in this make and model, 4,211 as pilot in command, 221 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 34 °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).

- [Accident 19880202070689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880202070689A), Feb 2, 1988: Cvac STCAPJC, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Whiteout condition landing on snow and slush covered runway, hit snowbank on edge of runway collapse right gear.

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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