# NTSB DEN90FA058: Piper PA-34-200T, N1666H, Pueblo, CO, February 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1990, 19:49 local (Feb 21, 1990, 02:49 UTC)
- Place: Pueblo, CO
- Location: 38.2899° N, 104.4980° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PUEBLO MEML (PUB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2899&lon=-104.4980&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA058

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDE PATH AND SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static(marked)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT DIVERTED TO PUEBLO, CO AFTER EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT ENGINE. HE WAS GIVEN VECTORS FOR THE ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 8L AND REPORTED THE RUNWAY INSIGHT NEAR THE OUTER MARKER. AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER IN THE TOWER CAB STATED HE SAW N1666H ON THE APPROACH AND AS THE AIRPLANE 'PASSED THROUGH A SCUD LAYER, IT APPEARED TO BE IN A STEEP DESCENT.' THE CAPTAIN OF A MESA AIRLINES FLIGHT EXCUTING THE APPROACH BEHIND N1666H STATED HE FLEW THROUGH A LAYER OF FOG IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AND HIS VIEW OF THE RUNWAY WAS OBSCURED. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE MARKED STATIC WIRE A TOP A 75 FT. POLE, APPROXIMATELY 7,000 FT. FROM THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 8L. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME STRUCTURE, FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS, ENGINES OR PROPELLERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1666H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1666H-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 34-7770132 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7770132
- Airframe hours: 2645
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E-1 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Winicki, Sidney
- Registered owner: Win Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: PUB
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PUB, Pueblo Memorial, runway 8L, 10,496 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,358 total, 85 in this make and model, 2,292 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PUB, 1 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 19900220002479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900220002479A), Feb 20, 1990: Piper PA34200T, Pueblo, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Reported fuel problems. Struck wires on approach. Low clouds in area.

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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