# NTSB SEA87FA102: Socata TB10, N20FU, Battle Mountain, NV, May 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1987, 14:47 local (21:47 UTC)
- Place: Battle Mountain, NV
- Coordinates: 40.470958, -117.029373 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4710&lon=-117.0294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87FA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA102

## Analysis

AFTER RECEIVING A WEATHER BRIEFING CALLING FOR MOUNTAINS OCCASIONALLY OBSCURED, OCCASIONAL MODERATE ICING FROM 18000 FT & BELOW, AND CEILINGS ACROSS NORTH & CENTRAL NEVADA, THE NONINSTRUMENT RATED PILOT FILED A VFR FLIGHT PLAN AND DEPARTED SALT LAKE CITY FOR RENO. EN ROUTE PILOT ENTERED IMC MOUNTAINOUS AREA & ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB TO 12000 FT, MINIMUM SAFE IFR ALTITUDE, AFTER COORDINATION WITH CENTER. DURING CLIMB AND WHILE IN IMC LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURRED. AIRCRAFT IMPACTED MOUNTAIN LEDGE IN NOSE LOW INVERTED ATTITUDE AT HIGH SPEED. PILOT HAD NEW AUTOPILOT AND LORAN INSTALLED DAY BEFORE DEPARTING ON ACCIDENT TRIP. DURING STOPOVER AT BATTLE MOUNTAIN FBO TRIED TO CONVINCE PILOT TO DELAY DUE TO POOR WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20FU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20FU-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 641, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SOCATA TB10
- Registry model: [Socata TB 10](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb-10) (registry code 8680696) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 641
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James A. Banister
- Registered owner: The Four Banisters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 18, 1987
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 147 total, 81 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 350 ft overcast

## 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 19870526079189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870526079189A), May 26, 1987: Socata TB10TOBAGO, Battle Mountain, NV, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into clouds in Mountain terrain. Unable to climb to a safe altitude. Lost control. Near vertical impact.

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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