# NTSB DEN89LA186: Beech P35, N9661Y, Lovell, WY, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1989, 18:45 local (Aug 6, 1989, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Lovell, WY
- Coordinates: 44.830524, -108.390953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8305&lon=-108.3910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA186

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CONTINUE OUT OF THE CANYON OR TURN AROUND. THE TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING TWO RELATIVES AND A FRIEND ON A FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. HE SAID HE FLEW UP A CANYON. AS HE APCHD THE UPPER END, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE PLANE COULD NOT CLIMB FAST ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN & THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO TURN AROUND. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A STAND OF TREES. AS THE PLANE DESCENDED THROUGH THE TREES, THE WINGS, TAIL, AND ENGINE WERE SEVERED, BUT THE CABIN SECTION REMAINED INTACT. THE ELT ACTIVATED & SEARCH PERSONNEL RESCUED THE SURVIVORS THE NEXT MORNING. ELEVATION OF THE ACDNT SITE WAS ABOUT 7900 FT; DENSITY ALT WAS ESTD TO BE ABOUT 10,000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9661Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9661Y-1993-09-20), registration cancelled 1993-09-20, S/N D7079 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH P35
- Registry model: [Beech P35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-p35) (registry code 1151530) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D7079
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard, Richard H.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BIL, BILLINGS, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,621 total, 1,171 in this make and model, 1,481 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890805027729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890805027729A), Aug 5, 1989: Beech 35BEECH, Lowell, WY, Substantial damage. Flew up a canyon then unable to outclimb terrain and unable to turn around. Put it into trees. Impact sheared wings

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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