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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 27, 1986 · Martin 404 · N40443

Buffalo, WY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 27, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Buffalo, WY
Aircraft
Martin 404
Tail Number
N40443
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN86FA175

N40443 WAS CONTRACTED BY THE WYOMING DEPT OF AG TO SPRAY GRASSHOPPERS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HELD A PVT CERTIFICATE WITH ASMEL RATINGS. HIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DENIED BECAUSE HE FAILED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION CONCERNING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND ALCOHOLISM. CO-PLT HELD A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WITH ASEL RATING. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE THAT EITHER PLT HAD ANY OPERATING EXPERIENCE IN THE MARTIN 404 ACFT. FORMER EMPLOYEES OF OPERATOR STATED THAT N40443 WAS NOT WELL MAINTAINED. THE ADI SYSTEM AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE INOP. WEIGHT OF ACFT AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 44,492 POUNDS. THE MAX GROSS TOTAL WEIGHT FOR A 'DRY' TAKEOFF FROM A 4,500 FOOT RWY WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,900 POUNDS. THE FLT MANUAL PERFORMANCE CHARTS INDICATE THAT A RWY LENGTH OF OVER 5,500 FEET WOULD BE NEEDED FOR AN ACFT AT 44,492 POUNDS. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK DURING TAKEOFF.

Full Narrative

N40443 WAS CONTRACTED BY THE WYOMING DEPT OF AG TO SPRAY GRASSHOPPERS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HELD A PVT CERTIFICATE WITH ASMEL RATINGS. HIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DENIED BECAUSE HE FAILED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION CONCERNING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND ALCOHOLISM. CO-PLT HELD A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WITH ASEL RATING. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE THAT EITHER PLT HAD ANY OPERATING EXPERIENCE IN THE MARTIN 404 ACFT. FORMER EMPLOYEES OF OPERATOR STATED THAT N40443 WAS NOT WELL MAINTAINED. THE ADI SYSTEM AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE INOP. WEIGHT OF ACFT AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 44,492 POUNDS. THE MAX GROSS TOTAL WEIGHT FOR A 'DRY' TAKEOFF FROM A 4,500 FOOT RWY WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,900 POUNDS. THE FLT MANUAL PERFORMANCE CHARTS INDICATE THAT A RWY LENGTH OF OVER 5,500 FEET WOULD BE NEEDED FOR AN ACFT AT 44,492 POUNDS. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK DURING TAKEOFF.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:45 MDT
Nearest AirportJohnson County (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftMartin 404
Tail NumberN40443
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R2800-CBC · Reciprocating · 1250
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data