# NTSB DEN93FA009: Piper PA-42, N250TJ, Grand Junction, CO, October 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1992, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Grand Junction, CO
- Coordinates: 39.109718, -108.529212 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1097&lon=-108.5292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93FA009

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURE AND RESULTANT DISORIENTATION WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## 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)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMUTER AIR CARRIER DEPARTED MOAB, UTAH, AND FLEW TO GRAND JUNCTION, CO, VIA RNAV DIRECT MACKS INTERSECTION. AFTER CROSSING MACKS INTERSECTION, THE AIRPLANE TURNED RIGHT BUT INSTEAD OF INTERCEPTING THE LOCALIZER COURSE, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ON A SLIGHTLY DIVERGENT TRACK TO THE EAST OF THE LOCALIZER.  THE PILOT TOLD CONTROL TOWER PERSONNEL, 'I'M SHOWING TWELVE MILES OUT ON THE ILS...GETTING REAL...ERRONEOUS SIGNAL, HERE.  ANY COMPLAINTS?'  THE PILOT WAS ADVISED NO DIFFICULTY REPORTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A MESA ONE MINUTE LATER ABOUT FIVE MILES TO THE LEFT OF THE LOCALIZER COURSE.  THE COCKPIT WAS DESTROYED AND NO MEANINGFUL INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED FROM THE NAVIGATIONAL RADIOS.  ALL OF THE AIRPORT'S NAVIGATIONAL AIDS WERE LATER FLIGHT CHECKED AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.  ALTHOUGH VMC PREVAILED AT THE AIRPORT, THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ABOVE THE REPORTED CEILING HEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N250TJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N250TJ-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 42-8001024, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-42
- Registry model: [Piper PA-42](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-42) (registry code 7104202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 42-8001024
- Airframe hours: 4784
- Engines: P&W PT6A-41 720 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Alpine Aviation, doing business as Alpine Air
- Registered owner: Clb Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 15, 1992, 43 hours before
- Departed: OAB, MOAB, UT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GJT, Walker Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,700 total, 225 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GJT, 10 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 19921031044509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921031044509A), Oct 31, 1992: Piper PA42, Grand Junction, CO, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Strayed off course on ILS approach. Descended and impacted cloud obscured mesa. Report erroneous signal prior crash

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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