# NTSB DEN90FA042: Fairchild SA227-AC, N2721M, Elko, NV, January 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1990, 10:28 local (18:28 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Coordinates: 40.949726, -115.790046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9497&lon=-115.7900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious, 9 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA042

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURE BY THE CAPTAIN, AND INADEQUATE MONITORING OF THE APPROACH BY THE FIRST OFFICER, WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE APPROACH.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - monitoring - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained (cause)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE FLT CREW OF SKYWEST AIRLINES FLT 5855 REQUESTED A VOR/DME-B APCH TO THE ELKO ARPT, WHICH WAS APPROVED. AS THE APCH CONTINUED, THE FLT CREW RPRTD OVER THE BULLION VOR. APRX 30 SEC LATER, THE ACFT CRASHED. IMPACT OCCURRED AT THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, ABOUT 100' BEFORE REACHING THE VOR STATION. ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 6460 FT; MIN PUBLISHED CROSSING ALT AT THE VOR WAS 7000 FT. THE ARPT WAS 4.1 MI FROM THE VOR AT AN ELEVATION OF 5135 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2721M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2721M-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N AC-716 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD SA227-AC
- Registry model: [Fairchild SA227-AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-sa227-ac) (registry code 3377509) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC 716
- Airframe hours: 2928
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331 1100 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Skywest Airlines
- Registered owner: Equipment Acceptance Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 13, 1990, 9 hours before
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: EKO, ELKO, NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: EKO, Elko Muni/Jc Harris Field, runway 23, 7,211 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,314 total, 5,337 in this make and model, 10,837 as pilot in command, 214 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKO, 4 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 19900115000439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900115000439A), Jan 15, 1990: Swrngn SA227AC, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. Collided with ground and VORTAC facility on instrument approach.

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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