# NTSB DEN88FA107: Stinson 108-2, N354C, Mosca, CO, May 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1988, 10:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Mosca, CO
- Coordinates: 37.649345, -105.880485 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6493&lon=-105.8805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA107

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hazardous materials leak/spill, other
- Fire/explosion, other

## Analysis

AFTER PURCHASING ACFT, PLT AND PLT-RATED FRIEND (BOTH AIRLINE PLTS) WERE JOINED BY PLT'S WIFE AND DEPARTED FALCON FIELD, MESA, AZ, EN ROUTE TO MN.  THE TRIO STOPPED IN ALAMOSA, CO, FOR NIGHT.  THEY DEPARTED ALAMOSA (ELEVATION 7608 FT MSL) THE NEXT MORNING AND FLEW OVER GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL MONUMENT AND ENTERED MEDANO PASS.  ACFT CRASHED IN VMC AT ABOUT THE 10,000-FT LEVEL, 30 MI FROM ALAMOSA.  TERRAIN RISES RAPIDLY AT ABOUT 20 DEG ANGLE.  AT TIME OF CRASH, PRESSURE ALTITUDE AT ALAMOSA AND CRASH SITE WERE COMPUTED TO BE 7238 FT  AND 9630 FT MSL, RESPECTIVELY. ACFT RATE OF CLIMB WAS COMPUTED TO BE 195 FPM AND 70 FPM, RESPECTIVELY. ACFT WAS UNDER MAX GROSS WEIGHT AND WITHIN C.G. LIMITS AT TAKEOFF AND AT IMPACT.  SHORTLY AFTER CRASH, ACFT CAUGHT FIRE, FED BY CANS OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS IN BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N354C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N354C-1991-04-26), registration cancelled 1991-04-26, S/N 1083354 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-3354
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150-BB 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wiegan, Joseph J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 1987
- Departed: ALS, ALAMOSA, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,543 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALS, 34 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 19880513016159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880513016159A), May 13, 1988: Univar 1081, Mosca, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees trying to climb over mountain pass. Lacked proper checkout in type. Was warned not to fly high terrain

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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