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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 15, 1988 · Piper PA-28R-201T PA-28R-201 · N3110Q

Arvada, WY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 15, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Arvada, WY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-201T PA-28R-201
Tail Number
N3110Q
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN89FA041

THE PILOT ENTERED CLOUDS AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, CRASHED NEAR THE CITY OF ARVADA, WY. THE FLIGHT CONSISTED OF TWO AIRCRAFT, FLYING TOGETHER IN LOOSE FORMATION, AT NIGHT, UNDER A LAYER OF CLOUDS. THE PLT OF THE LEAD ACFT ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 2 MIN ELAPSED WHEN HE HEARD THE PLT OF N3110Q SHOUT OUT AN EXPLETIVE. THAT WAS THE LAST TRANSMISSION HEARD. AN AIR SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED AND THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ALONGSIDE THE POWER RIVER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DISCLOSED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE STABILATOR HALVES AND THE LEFT WING WERE FOUND 266 YARDS WEST OF THE WRECKAGE. NO CORROSION OR FATIGUE FAILURES WERE NOTED.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT ENTERED CLOUDS AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, CRASHED NEAR THE CITY OF ARVADA, WY. THE FLIGHT CONSISTED OF TWO AIRCRAFT, FLYING TOGETHER IN LOOSE FORMATION, AT NIGHT, UNDER A LAYER OF CLOUDS. THE PLT OF THE LEAD ACFT ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 2 MIN ELAPSED WHEN HE HEARD THE PLT OF N3110Q SHOUT OUT AN EXPLETIVE. THAT WAS THE LAST TRANSMISSION HEARD. AN AIR SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED AND THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ALONGSIDE THE POWER RIVER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DISCLOSED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE STABILATOR HALVES AND THE LEFT WING WERE FOUND 266 YARDS WEST OF THE WRECKAGE. NO CORROSION OR FATIGUE FAILURES WERE NOTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:50 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-201T PA-28R-201
Tail NumberN3110Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-F2 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point7 C / 1 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data