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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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June 3, 1989 · Boeing PT-17 · N555JW

Meeker, CO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Meeker, CO
Aircraft
Boeing PT-17
Tail Number
N555JW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN89FA131

THE PRIVATE PLT AND PAYING PAX DEPARTED ARPT DURING AIR SHOW FOR LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLT. MONIES RAISED FROM AIRPLANE RIDES AND AIR SHOW WERE TO BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL. SHORTLY AFTER ACFT DEPARTED RWY 21, WITNESSES SAID STRONG GUSTY WINDS DEVELOPED AS THUNDERSTORM APPROACHED. VIRGA WAS SEEN FALLING FROM ONE CELL, LOCATED ABOUT 3 MILES SOUTH OF ARPT. THE ACFT WAS NEXT SEEN ON WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A RIGHT X-WIND LEG FOR RWY 3 AT LOW SPEED. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO SPIN AND IMPACT THE GROUND. THE ACFT EXPLODED AND BURNED. PLT COULD NOT RECALL ANY DETAILS OF ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL-SPIN AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO EFFECT A SAFE RECOVERY. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND WIND SHEAR.

Full Narrative

THE PRIVATE PLT AND PAYING PAX DEPARTED ARPT DURING AIR SHOW FOR LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLT. MONIES RAISED FROM AIRPLANE RIDES AND AIR SHOW WERE TO BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL. SHORTLY AFTER ACFT DEPARTED RWY 21, WITNESSES SAID STRONG GUSTY WINDS DEVELOPED AS THUNDERSTORM APPROACHED. VIRGA WAS SEEN FALLING FROM ONE CELL, LOCATED ABOUT 3 MILES SOUTH OF ARPT. THE ACFT WAS NEXT SEEN ON WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A RIGHT X-WIND LEG FOR RWY 3 AT LOW SPEED. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO SPIN AND IMPACT THE GROUND. THE ACFT EXPLODED AND BURNED. PLT COULD NOT RECALL ANY DETAILS OF ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 MDT
Nearest AirportMEEKER (1nm SSE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing PT-17
Tail NumberN555JW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · W-670-6N · Reciprocating · 220
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10 kt, gusting 35 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

External Links

Appendix: Source Data