# NTSB SEA86LA016: Piper PA-20, N1403C, Ely, NV, October 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1985, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Ely, NV
- Coordinates: 39.420398, -114.999946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4204&lon=-114.9999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE CONSENSUS OF WITNESSES WAS THAT THE PLT & 2 PAX HAD BEEN AWAKE ALL OR MOST OF THE PREVIOUS NIGHT & HAD CONSUMED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES UNTIL AT LEAST 0100 PDT. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE PLT WAS 'CUT OFF' FROM ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AT 0100, BUT THE 3 MEN REMAINED AT THE BAR UNTIL HE WENT OFF DUTY AT 0400. LATER, HE SAW THEM AT ANOTHER BAR AT ABOUT 1100,BUT COULD NOT RECALL IF THEY WERE DRINKING. AT ABOUT 1200, THE 3 TOOK OFF IN A PIPER PA-20 (PREVIOUSLY CONVERTED FROM A PA-22). THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, HE CONTD CLIMBING SOUTHBOUND FOR APRX 12 MI, THEN TURNED EAST TO CROSS OVERA MTN RANGE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFTS & BEGAN LOSING ALT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A 180 DEG LEFT TURN AWAY FROM RISING TERRAIN, BUT THE ACFT SETTLED INTO TREES & CRASHED TO THE GND. REPORTEDLY, THERE WERE NO PREIMPACTMECHANICAL PROBLEMS. ALTHO SERIOUSLY INJURED, THE PLT WALKED FROM THE CRASH SITE. HE OBTAINED ASSISTANCE AT APRX 1840 & WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL. THE ACFT & OTHER OCCUPANTS WERE FND THE FOLLOWING MORNING DURING AN AIR SEARCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1403C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1158
- Airframe hours: 3539
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Mccollam
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1985
- Departed: ELY, ELY, NV
- Destination: DTA, DELTA, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELY, 306 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 19851020052659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851020052659A), Oct 20, 1985: Piper PA22, Ely, NV, Destroyed. Unable to climb over rising terrain. Attempted to turn away and struck trees. Pilot had consumed alcohol.

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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