# NTSB NYC86LA085: Rockwell 680FL, N287B, Houlton, ME, March 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1986, 05:50 local (10:50 UTC)
- Place: Houlton, ME
- Location: 46.1214° N, 67.8322° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houlton, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1214&lon=-67.8322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30308/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA085

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND LANDED ON RUNWAY 5 WHICH HAD APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH OF FRESH SNOW. HE REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS DURING THE LANDING & LOST REFERENCE TO THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, ANGLED OFF THE LANDING AREA IN A STRAIGHT LINE & COLLIDED WITH A SNOWBANK. AT THE TIME OF THE ACDNT, THERE WAS LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE, ICE PELLETS & FOG. THE LOCAL FSS WAS CLOSED & THERE WAS NO CURRENT WX INFO AVAILABLE TO THE PLT FOR THE DESTN ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N287B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N287B-1989-01-26), registration cancelled 1989-01-26, S/N 137245 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 680FL
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 680FL](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-680fl) (registry code 0141608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1372-45
- Airframe hours: 12495
- Engines: LYCOMING IGSO-540-B1A 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Air Parcel Express
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 12, 1985
- Departed: BGR, BANGOR, ME
- Destination: HOU
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HULL, Houlton Int'L, runway 5, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,982 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,834 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HULL

## 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 19860315007929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860315007929A), Mar 15, 1986: Gulstm 680FL, Houlton, ME, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off side of runway during landing. Pilot unable to align with runway due to whiteout conditions.

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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