# NTSB DEN90FA063: Piper PA-12-150, N4053H, Milliken, CO, February 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1990, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Milliken, CO
- Coordinates: 40.309406, -104.850036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3094&lon=-104.8500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA063

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT, INTENTIONAL BUZZING, AND FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION (INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT).  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE POWER LINE AND THE ABSENCE OF SHOULDER HARNESSES IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - not installed (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & HIS WIFE WERE ON A LOCAL FLT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING BELOW THE TREE TOPS OVER THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER. ONE WITNESS RPRTD THE ACFT'S WHEELS WERE SKIMMING THE WATER. JUST BEFORE THE ACDNT, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO PULL UP. HOWEVER, IT HIT THE TOP SET OF 3 WIRES, THEN CRASHED. THE PLT'S WIFE SURVIVED THE ACDNT, BUT SHE RECEIVED A SEVERE HEAD INJURY. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESSES. THE PLT HAD NO USEFUL VISION IN HIS RIGHT EYE, BUT POSSESSED A MEDICAL WAIVER (STATEMENT OF DEMONSTRATED ABILITY) FOR THIS CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4053H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4053H-1992-08-31), registration cancelled 1992-08-31, S/N 123481 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-3481
- Airframe hours: 2528
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sheeon, Guy D
- Registered owner: Sheeon, Guy D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1989
- Departed: 48V, ERIE, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 885 total, 481 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Observed at: FCL, 16 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 19900225002849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900225002849A), Feb 25, 1990: Piper STCPA12, Milliken, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Buzzed low over river,began pull-up and struck powerlines, then a tree.

## Other investigations on N4053H (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX65D0010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX65D0010), Feb 7, 1965: Piper PA-12 (N4053H), Alpine, CA, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.