# NTSB DEN88FA099: Beech A23-19, N7979L, Gunnison, CO, April 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1988, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Gunnison, CO
- Coordinates: 38.539108, -106.91996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5391&lon=-106.9200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17363/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA099

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb - to cruise
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)

## Analysis

ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB THROUGH A PASS WHICH WAS ABOVE THE EFFECTIVE SERVICE CEILING OF THE ACFT. AT APPROXIMATELY THE EFFECTIVE SERVICE CEILING OF THE ACFT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND POST IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7979L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7979L-1989-01-30), registration cancelled 1989-01-30, S/N MB160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23-19
- Registry model: [Beech A23-19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-19) (registry code 1151212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB 160
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Colley, James A.
- Registered owner: James A Colley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 1987
- Departed: GUC, GUNNISON, CO
- Destination: PUB, PUEBLO, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUC, 30 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 19880420009979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880420009979A), Apr 20, 1988: Beech A2319, Gunnison, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees trying to climb over a mountain pass. Pass exceeded climb ability. Was near gross. Strong downdrafts.

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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