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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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January 15, 1990 · Fairchild SA227-AC · N2721M

Elko, NV

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 15, 1990
Injury Outcomes
13 injuries (4 serious injuries, 9 minor injuries), 3 uninjured
Location
Elko, NV
Aircraft
Fairchild SA227-AC
Tail Number
N2721M
Operator
Skywest Airlines
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN90FA042

DURING ARRIVAL, THE FLT CREW OF SKYWEST AIRLINES FLT 5855 REQUESTED A VOR/DME-B APCH TO THE ELKO ARPT, WHICH WAS APPROVED. AS THE APCH CONTINUED, THE FLT CREW RPRTD OVER THE BULLION VOR. APRX 30 SEC LATER, THE ACFT CRASHED. IMPACT OCCURRED AT THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, ABOUT 100' BEFORE REACHING THE VOR STATION. ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 6460 FT; MIN PUBLISHED CROSSING ALT AT THE VOR WAS 7000 FT. THE ARPT WAS 4.1 MI FROM THE VOR AT AN ELEVATION OF 5135 FT.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURE BY THE CAPTAIN, AND INADEQUATE MONITORING OF THE APPROACH BY THE FIRST OFFICER, WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE APPROACH. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

Full Narrative

DURING ARRIVAL, THE FLT CREW OF SKYWEST AIRLINES FLT 5855 REQUESTED A VOR/DME-B APCH TO THE ELKO ARPT, WHICH WAS APPROVED. AS THE APCH CONTINUED, THE FLT CREW RPRTD OVER THE BULLION VOR. APRX 30 SEC LATER, THE ACFT CRASHED. IMPACT OCCURRED AT THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, ABOUT 100' BEFORE REACHING THE VOR STATION. ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 6460 FT; MIN PUBLISHED CROSSING ALT AT THE VOR WAS 7000 FT. THE ARPT WAS 4.1 MI FROM THE VOR AT AN ELEVATION OF 5135 FT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:28 PST
Nearest AirportElko Muni/Jc Harris Field (0nm N)
Runway23
Runway Length7211 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFairchild SA227-AC
Tail NumberN2721M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSkywest Airlines
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-331 · Turboprop · 1100
Seats21

People & Injuries

Injury Summary13 injuries (4 serious injuries, 9 minor injuries), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious4
Minor9
Uninjured3
Total16
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 10 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data