# NTSB DEN89FA131: Boeing PT-17, N555JW, Meeker, CO, June 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1989, 12:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Meeker, CO
- Coordinates: 40.050861, -107.890983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0509&lon=-107.8910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA131

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL-SPIN AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO EFFECT A SAFE RECOVERY. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND WIND SHEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT AND PAYING PAX DEPARTED ARPT DURING AIR SHOW FOR LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLT. MONIES RAISED FROM AIRPLANE RIDES AND AIR SHOW WERE TO BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL. SHORTLY AFTER ACFT DEPARTED RWY 21, WITNESSES SAID STRONG GUSTY WINDS DEVELOPED AS THUNDERSTORM APPROACHED. VIRGA WAS SEEN FALLING FROM ONE CELL, LOCATED ABOUT 3 MILES SOUTH OF ARPT. THE ACFT WAS NEXT SEEN ON WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A RIGHT X-WIND LEG FOR RWY 3 AT LOW SPEED. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO SPIN AND IMPACT THE GROUND. THE ACFT EXPLODED AND BURNED. PLT COULD NOT RECALL ANY DETAILS OF ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N555JW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING PT-17
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-2955
- Airframe hours: 3651
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Walters, James R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1988, 36 hours before
- Departed: 2V3
- Airport: 2V3, Meeker

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 652 total, 352 in this make and model, 589 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °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 19890603014049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890603014049A), Jun 3, 1989: Boeing PT17, Meeker, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Severe turbulence began while circling to land from nearby storm. Stalled and spun in.

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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