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NTSB Report
July 26, 1986 · Piper PA-46-310P · N4346L
Boulder, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 2 uninjured
Location
Boulder, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-46-310P
Tail Number
N4346L
Operator
Lowell T Dugan
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN86FA208
THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT FOR BOTH ACFT WAS AN AERIAL PHOTO MISSION. N5113S WAS USED AS THE CAMERA PLATFORM. THE PLTS OF N5113S AND N4346L DISCUSSED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PROCEDURES OF THE FLT. BOTH ACFT DEPARTED AND FLEW A COURSE TO POSITION THE AIRPLANES ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. N5113S WAS TO THE EAST AND SLIGHTLY ABOVE AND AHEAD OF N4346L. THE PHOTOGRAPHER SHOT ONE ROLL OF FILM AND RELOADED. HE WAS READY TO BEGIN SHOOTING WHEN N4346L BEGAN TO CLOSE IN ON N5113S. THE PLT OF N5113S FELT TWO 'BUMPS' AS N4346L CLOSED, AND DID NOT SEE THE ACFT PASS UNDER. THE PLT OF N5113S MANEUVERED HIS ACFT TO DETERMINE CONTROLLABILITY AND SAW N4346L SPIRALLING TO THE GROUND. EXAM OF N4346L REVEALED THE VERT STAB AND RUDDER HAD SEPARATED IN-FLIGHT. THERE WERE NUMEROUS PAINT SMEARS FOUND ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON N5113S.
Full Narrative
THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT FOR BOTH ACFT WAS AN AERIAL PHOTO MISSION. N5113S WAS USED AS THE CAMERA PLATFORM. THE PLTS OF N5113S AND N4346L DISCUSSED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PROCEDURES OF THE FLT. BOTH ACFT DEPARTED AND FLEW A COURSE TO POSITION THE AIRPLANES ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. N5113S WAS TO THE EAST AND SLIGHTLY ABOVE AND AHEAD OF N4346L. THE PHOTOGRAPHER SHOT ONE ROLL OF FILM AND RELOADED. HE WAS READY TO BEGIN SHOOTING WHEN N4346L BEGAN TO CLOSE IN ON N5113S. THE PLT OF N5113S FELT TWO 'BUMPS' AS N4346L CLOSED, AND DID NOT SEE THE ACFT PASS UNDER. THE PLT OF N5113S MANEUVERED HIS ACFT TO DETERMINE CONTROLLABILITY AND SAW N4346L SPIRALLING TO THE GROUND. EXAM OF N4346L REVEALED THE VERT STAB AND RUDDER HAD SEPARATED IN-FLIGHT. THERE WERE NUMEROUS PAINT SMEARS FOUND ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON N5113S.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-46-310P
Tail NumberN4346L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLowell T Dugan
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-BE1 · Reciprocating · 310 | Lycoming · O-540-L3C5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 2 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Crew 2Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 10 kt
Visibility75 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:45
Weather SourceWFAC