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NTSB Report
April 3, 1988 · Beech A36 · N5WW
Colorado Spring, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 3, 1988
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Colorado Spring, CO
Aircraft
Beech A36
Tail Number
N5WW
Operator
Merle Robert Andrews
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN88FA090
AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT FAILED TO CLIMB SUFFICIENTLY TO CLEAR A UTILITY POLE ONE-HALF MILE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE POLE AND CRASHED IN A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE PLT AND THREE PAX WERE FATALLY INJURED AND THE ACFT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. AVAILABLE INFORMATION INDICATES THAT POWER REQUIRED WAS GREATER THAN POWER AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOFF AT NEAR MAX GROSS WT FROM THE HIGH ALTITUDE, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE ARPT, AND THE PLT WAS INEXPERIENCED IN HIGH ALTITUDE ARPT OPERATIONS.
Full Narrative
AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT FAILED TO CLIMB SUFFICIENTLY TO CLEAR A UTILITY POLE ONE-HALF MILE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE POLE AND CRASHED IN A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE PLT AND THREE PAX WERE FATALLY INJURED AND THE ACFT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. AVAILABLE INFORMATION INDICATES THAT POWER REQUIRED WAS GREATER THAN POWER AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOFF AT NEAR MAX GROSS WT FROM THE HIGH ALTITUDE, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE ARPT, AND THE PLT WAS INEXPERIENCED IN HIGH ALTITUDE ARPT OPERATIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:44 MDT
Nearest AirportColorado Springs (2nm NNW)
Runway35
Runway Length11021 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN5WW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMerle Robert Andrews
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BA · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 12 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC