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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

December 14, 1983 · Piper PA-32 · N47403

Alma, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 14, 1983
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Alma, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-32
Tail Number
N47403
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN84FA225

THE PLT, HIS BROTHER & HIS SISTER-IN-LAW WERE ON A FLT TO ATTEND HIS MOTHER'S FUNERAL. BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PILOT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING & WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE PLT THEN ASKED FOR WX REPORTS FOR A SOUTHERLY ROUTE & HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE OBSCURED ON THAT ROUTE. HE THEN INDICATED THAT HE WOULD TRY & THAT MAYBE THE WEATHER WOULD CLEAR ENOUGH FOR HIM TO GET THRU. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE SIDE OF MT DEMOCRAT, A 14,286 FT MOUNTAIN, AT THE 13,800 FT LEVEL. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED IN NEAR LEVEL FLT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AREA FORECAST CALLED FOR MOUNTAINS & HIGHER TERRAIN TO BE OCCASIONALLY OBSCURED IN CLOUDS & PRECIP; ROCKY MOUNTAINS 3000 TO 6000 FT THRU 20,000 FT WITH OCCASIONAL CEILINGS BELOW 1000 FT & VISIBILITY BELOW 3 MILES IN SNOW & FOG.

Full Narrative

THE PLT, HIS BROTHER & HIS SISTER-IN-LAW WERE ON A FLT TO ATTEND HIS MOTHER'S FUNERAL. BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PILOT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING & WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE PLT THEN ASKED FOR WX REPORTS FOR A SOUTHERLY ROUTE & HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE OBSCURED ON THAT ROUTE. HE THEN INDICATED THAT HE WOULD TRY & THAT MAYBE THE WEATHER WOULD CLEAR ENOUGH FOR HIM TO GET THRU. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE SIDE OF MT DEMOCRAT, A 14,286 FT MOUNTAIN, AT THE 13,800 FT LEVEL. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED IN NEAR LEVEL FLT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AREA FORECAST CALLED FOR MOUNTAINS & HIGHER TERRAIN TO BE OCCASIONALLY OBSCURED IN CLOUDS & PRECIP; ROCKY MOUNTAINS 3000 TO 6000 FT THRU 20,000 FT WITH OCCASIONAL CEILINGS BELOW 1000 FT & VISIBILITY BELOW 3 MILES IN SNOW & FOG.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:00 MST
Nearest Airport1nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32
Tail NumberN47403
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data