# NTSB SEA87LA020: Cessna 414A, N37561, Murtaugh, ID, December 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1986, 19:00 local (Dec 7, 1986, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Murtaugh, ID
- Coordinates: 42.409027, -114.119636 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4090&lon=-114.1196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40562
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40562/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA020

## 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)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - descent - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TRANSITION FROM A DME ARC TO THE ILS FINAL APCH COURSE, THE PLT ALLOWED THE ACFT TO PREMATURELY DESCEND INTO THE GROUND. THE REASON FOR THE DESCENT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. HOWEVER, NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE ACFT WAS FOUND NOR WAS THERE ANY EVIDENCE SUPPORTING PLT INCAPACITATION. DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS IN FOG AND LOW CEILINGS PREVAILED DURING THE APCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37561](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37561-1989-07-21), registration cancelled 1989-07-21, S/N 414A0007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414A
- Registry model: [Cessna 414A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414a) (registry code 2075907) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 414A0007
- Airframe hours: 1487
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-N 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul C. Van Alstyne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1985, 120 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: SUN, SUN VALLEY, ID
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TWF, Joslin Field, runway 25, 8,703 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,680 total, 618 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TWF, 11 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 19861206064699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861206064699A), Dec 6, 1986: Cessna 414A, Twin Falls, ID, Destroyed. Flew into the ground on a night ILS approach 9 miles from runway. Pilot blamed mental lapse. No medical problems.

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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