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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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February 3, 1988 · Convair 580 · N5808

Durango, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Durango, CO
Aircraft
Convair 580
Tail Number
N5808
Operator
United Express
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88FA061

AFTER MAKING AN IFR APPROACH, THE PILOT MADE A GO-AROUND BECAUSE HE WAS BLINDED BY THE REFLECTION OF THE LANDING/TAXI LIGHTS AGAINST THE FALLING SNOW. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE SECOND APPROACH. THE PILOT SAID HE SENSED THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTING TO THE LEFT AND HE TRIED TO CORRECT, BUT IT COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF AIRCRAFT HYDROPLANING OR SKIDDING. AIRPORT MANAGEMENT ELECTED TO DELAY PLOWING THE RUNWAY FOR FEAR OF IT FREEZING OVER. PASSENGERS CLAIMED THERE WAS 2-3 INCHES OF SNOW ON TOP OF A 3/4- INCH LAYER OF SLUSH. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE OF VARIOUS INTENSITIES BECAUSE SOME UNAPPROVED LIGHT BULBS OF DIFFERENT AMPERAGE WERE USED. THE RUNWAY WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CENTERLINE LIGHTING. THE PAINTED WHITE CENTERLINE STRIPE WAS COVERED BY SNOW AND SLUSH.

Full Narrative

AFTER MAKING AN IFR APPROACH, THE PILOT MADE A GO-AROUND BECAUSE HE WAS BLINDED BY THE REFLECTION OF THE LANDING/TAXI LIGHTS AGAINST THE FALLING SNOW. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE SECOND APPROACH. THE PILOT SAID HE SENSED THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTING TO THE LEFT AND HE TRIED TO CORRECT, BUT IT COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF AIRCRAFT HYDROPLANING OR SKIDDING. AIRPORT MANAGEMENT ELECTED TO DELAY PLOWING THE RUNWAY FOR FEAR OF IT FREEZING OVER. PASSENGERS CLAIMED THERE WAS 2-3 INCHES OF SNOW ON TOP OF A 3/4- INCH LAYER OF SLUSH. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE OF VARIOUS INTENSITIES BECAUSE SOME UNAPPROVED LIGHT BULBS OF DIFFERENT AMPERAGE WERE USED. THE RUNWAY WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CENTERLINE LIGHTING. THE PAINTED WHITE CENTERLINE STRIPE WAS COVERED BY SNOW AND SLUSH.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:32 MST
Nearest AirportLa Plata County (0nm N)
Runway2
Runway Length9200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftConvair 580
Tail NumberN5808
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUnited Express
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsAllison · 501D-13-H · Turboprop · 3750
Seats53

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 41 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
Ceiling500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:37
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data