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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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NTSB Report

August 6, 1989 · Beech P35 · N9661Y

Lovell, WY

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Lovell, WY
Aircraft
Beech P35
Tail Number
N9661Y
Operator
Howard Richard H
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN89LA186

THE PLT WAS FLYING TWO RELATIVES AND A FRIEND ON A FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. HE SAID HE FLEW UP A CANYON. AS HE APCHD THE UPPER END, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE PLANE COULD NOT CLIMB FAST ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN & THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO TURN AROUND. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A STAND OF TREES. AS THE PLANE DESCENDED THROUGH THE TREES, THE WINGS, TAIL, AND ENGINE WERE SEVERED, BUT THE CABIN SECTION REMAINED INTACT. THE ELT ACTIVATED & SEARCH PERSONNEL RESCUED THE SURVIVORS THE NEXT MORNING. ELEVATION OF THE ACDNT SITE WAS ABOUT 7900 FT; DENSITY ALT WAS ESTD TO BE ABOUT 10,000 FT.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CONTINUE OUT OF THE CANYON OR TURN AROUND. THE TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WERE RELATED FACTORS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS FLYING TWO RELATIVES AND A FRIEND ON A FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. HE SAID HE FLEW UP A CANYON. AS HE APCHD THE UPPER END, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE PLANE COULD NOT CLIMB FAST ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN & THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO TURN AROUND. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A STAND OF TREES. AS THE PLANE DESCENDED THROUGH THE TREES, THE WINGS, TAIL, AND ENGINE WERE SEVERED, BUT THE CABIN SECTION REMAINED INTACT. THE ELT ACTIVATED & SEARCH PERSONNEL RESCUED THE SURVIVORS THE NEXT MORNING. ELEVATION OF THE ACDNT SITE WAS ABOUT 7900 FT; DENSITY ALT WAS ESTD TO BE ABOUT 10,000 FT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech P35
Tail NumberN9661Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHoward Richard H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-N · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data