# NTSB FTW97LA297: Beech F33A, N179DD, Creede, CO, August 3, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 1997, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Creede, CO - Coordinates: 37.850181, -106.919555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8502&lon=-106.9196&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 4 serious - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20304 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA297 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20304/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA297 ## Probable cause The pilot's intentional low altitude flight over mountainous terrain, inadequate altitude to clear surrounding obstacles, and his misjudging vertical clearance. A factor was the pilot's use of an inappropriate chart for navigation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - en route charts - inadequate (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly ## Analysis The pilot said he was using a WAC (1:1,000,000) chart instead of a sectional (1:500,000) chart for navigation, and thought he was at a safe altitude for the surrounding terrain. As he approached a saddle on a mountain ridge near the Continental Divide (which he thought was 11,500 feet MSL), he realized he was well below the summit. Surrounding terrain prevented him from turning around, so he applied full power in an attempt to climb above the summit. The airplane struck a rock ledge, skidded, and came to rest inverted against an embankment at the 12,200 foot level. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 1997, approximately 1715 mountain daylight time, a Beech F33A, N179DD, was destroyed when it collided with terrain 9 miles northwest of Creede, Colorado. The commercial pilot and three passengers were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight was filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Grand Junction, Colorado, approximately 1630. The following is based on a telephone interview with the pilot the day after the accident, and his written accident report. The pilot said he obtained a weather briefing but did not file a flight plan for the proposed flight to Angel Fire, New Mexico. He departed Grand Junction and flew east until he was just south of Gunnison, Colorado, then he turned onto a more southerly course. He said he was using a WAC chart (World Aeronautical Chart, 1:1,000,000) instead of a sectional chart (1:500,000) for navigation, and he thought he was at a safe altitude for the surrounding terrain. As he approached a saddle in a mountain ridge near the Continental Divide (which he thought was 11,500 feet MSL), he realized he was well below the summit. Surrounding terrain prevented him from turning around, so he applied full power in an attempt to climb above the summit. The airplane struck a rock ledge, skidded, and came to rest inverted against an embankment at the 12,200 foot level. Campers near the San Luis Peak in the La Garita Wilderness Area witnessed the accident. While one camper went for help, the others assisted in removing the occupants, building a shelter, and administering first aid. Rescuers arrived on the scene approximately 0430 on August 4, and evacuated the victims to the hospital later that afternoon. The accident location was at the intersection of Mineral and East Mineral (dry) Creeks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N179DD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N179DD-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N CE-743, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech F33A - Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE-743 - Airframe hours: 4916 - Engines: Continental IO-520-BA12B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bellair, L.L.C. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1996, 70 hours before - Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO - Destination: AXX, ANGEL FIRE, NM ## 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; seat: left; flight hours: 2,089 total, 117 in this make and model, 1,913 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GUC, 33 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 19970803048139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970803048139A), Aug 3, 1997: Beech F33A, Creede, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) Airman competency: pilot was navigating under VFR conditions using a wac chart, not a sectional chart. Wac charts do not have contour lines. He thought… ## Other investigations on N179DD (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 CHI90LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA115), Apr 20, 1990: Beech F33A (N179DD), Milwaukee, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE UTILIZATION OF IMPROPER PROCEDURES ON THE PART OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND BY ATTEMPTING TO EXECUTE A COUPLED APPROACH OUTSIDE THE PARAMETERS OF THE AUTOPILOT. 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.