# NTSB DEN88FA138: Douglas A-26C, N4813E, Cimarron, NM, June 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1988, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Cimarron, NM
- Coordinates: 36.499492, -104.909889 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4995&lon=-104.9099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA138

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - hail (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RCVD A WX BRIEFING BEFORE TAKEOFF, BUT DID NOT FILE A FLT PLAN. DRG THE FLT, THE ACFT (DOUGLAS A-26C, N4813E) CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 11,200' NEAR BALDY MOUNTAIN. SCOUTING PERSONNEL, WHO WERE CAMPED IN THE VICINITY, RPRTD THE WX WAS POOR WITH A LOW CEILING, RESTRICTED VISIBILITY, RAIN & HAIL. AN EXAM OF THE CRASH SITE REVEALED THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP, RIGHT WING LOW, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. MUCH OF THE WRECKAGE COLLAPSED INTO THE IMPACT CRATER. THE DEGREE OF DESTRUCTION WAS CONSISTENT WITH A HIGH SPEED IMPACT. CHORDWISE SCRATCH MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE PROP BLADES. SEVERAL TREE BRANCHES & LIMBS AT THE CRASH SITE HAD SMOOTH CUTS. THE PLT WAS TYPE RATED IN THE A-26, BUT HIS CERTIFICATE HAD A LIMITATION THAT RESTRICTED HIM TO FLYING IT IN 'VFR ONLY.'  NEITHER THE PLT NOR THE RATED PASSENGER HELD AN INSTRUMENT RATING. THE RATED PASSENGER DID NOT HAVE A TYPE RATING IN THE A-26, BUT THE PLT POSSESSED A WAIVER TO FLY N4813E AS A SINGLE PLT AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4813E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4813E-1989-04-07), registration cancelled 1989-04-07, S/N 29243 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS A-26C
- Registry model: [Douglas A-26C](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-a-26c) (registry code 3020506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29243
- Engines: P&W R-2800 1100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Counselman, Guy E.
- Registered owner: Dr. Ed Counselman
- Departed: GLD, GOODLAND, KS
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,086 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk

## 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 19880626025839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880626025839A), Jun 26, 1988: Doug A26CSHIELDS, Cimmaron, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Near vertical impact in mountain area. Low clouds, thunderstorms and heavy rain. Indicates control lost. VFR pilot.

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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