# NTSB DEN88FA114: Beech D-17S, N1038M, Wheatland, WY, May 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1988, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Wheatland, WY
- Coordinates: 42.050064, -104.94963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0501&lon=-104.9496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA114

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - pole

## Analysis

THE WITNESSES SAID THEY SAW THE ACFT FLY A PATTERN INDICATIVE OF A BASE TO FINAL APPROACH TO RWY 35.  THE AIRSTRIP HAS A SECOND RUNWAY ORIENTED EAST AND WEST.  THE WIND WAS BLOWING FROM THE EAST AT 20 KNOTS. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND APPROXIMATELY 3/4 MILES WEST (DOWNWIND) OF RWY 35. THE ACFT HAD STRUCK A UTILITY POLE APPROXIMATELY 18 FEET AGL.  THE PROP REVEALED EVIDENCE OF TORSIONAL DAMAGE AND SEVERAL PROP SLASH MARKS WERE FOUND IN THE DIRT NEAR THE WRECKAGE. THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 100 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY SAW THE ACFT DESCEND, PULL-UP ABRUPTLY, TWIST 90 DEGREES, THEN DESCEND RAPIDLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1038M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1038M-2018-03-19), registration cancelled 2018-03-19, S/N 1017, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D-17S
- Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1017
- Airframe hours: 4797
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph M. Glomb
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 1988, 23 hours before
- Departed: LAR, LARAMIE, WY
- Airport: Two Bar Ranch, runway 35, 4,800 × 50 ft, gravel

## 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: 2,792 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19880528016219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880528016219A), May 28, 1988: Beech D17S, Wheatland, WY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wreckage indicates impact from stall. Plane was turning base, wings went vertical prior crash. High density altitude

## Other investigations on N1038M (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW84LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA236), Feb 7, 1984: Beech D17S (N1038M), Stratford, TX, substantial damage

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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