Lander - Riverton - Denver

On 5/1/86, the pilot had an acoustic tumor removed from his right ear which included the removal of the 8th nerve (balance nerve). His attending physician suggested approximately 1 year period of recuperation due to equilibrium problems associated with this type of surgery. On 7/12/86, he had a 1st class medical exam and received a medical certificate which was valid for flight test only. On 8/28/86, while taking off at night, the aircraft collided with rising terrain approximately 1.5 mile from the end of the runway at an elevation of about 5,600 feet. The airport elevation was 5,586 feet. A witness stated that he saw the aircraft takeoff, but it did not climb after takeoff. An investigation revealed that the accident occurred in an area that was isolated from ground lights. A post crash examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, engine or propellers. According to the pilot's log book, his last night flight was on 3/22/85. He had been on duty for approximately 14 hours when the accident occurred. All seven occupants were killed.

Flight / Schedule

Lander - Riverton - Denver

Registration

N2727A

MSN

441-0201

Year of Manufacture

1981

Date

August 28, 1986 at 11:13 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Lander Wyoming

Region

North America • United States of America

Coordinates

42.8331°, -108.7307°

Crash Cause

Human factor

Narrative Report

On August 28, 1986 at 11:13 PM, Lander - Riverton - Denver experienced a crash involving Cessna 441 Conquest, operated by Denver Air Center, with the event recorded near Lander Wyoming.

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

7 people were known to be on board, 7 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 6, passenger fatalities: 6, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. On 5/1/86, the pilot had an acoustic tumor removed from his right ear which included the removal of the 8th nerve (balance nerve). His attending physician suggested approximately 1 year period of recuperation due to equilibrium problems associated with this type of surgery. On 7/12/86, he had a 1st class medical exam and received a medical certificate which was valid for flight test only. On 8/28/86, while taking off at night, the aircraft collided with rising terrain approximately 1.5 mile from the end of the runway at an elevation of about 5,600 feet. The airport elevation was 5,586 feet. A witness stated that he saw the aircraft takeoff, but it did not climb after takeoff. An investigation revealed that the accident occurred in an area that was isolated from ground lights. A post crash examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, engine or propellers. According to the pilot's log book, his last night flight was on 3/22/85. He had been on duty for approximately 14 hours when the accident occurred. All seven occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N2727A, MSN 441-0201, year of manufacture 1981.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 42.8331°, -108.7307°.

Fatalities

Total

7

Crew

1

Passengers

6

Other

0

Crash Summary

On 5/1/86, the pilot had an acoustic tumor removed from his right ear which included the removal of the 8th nerve (balance nerve). His attending physician suggested approximately 1 year period of recuperation due to equilibrium problems associated with this type of surgery. On 7/12/86, he had a 1st class medical exam and received a medical certificate which was valid for flight test only. On 8/28/86, while taking off at night, the aircraft collided with rising terrain approximately 1.5 mile from the end of the runway at an elevation of about 5,600 feet. The airport elevation was 5,586 feet. A witness stated that he saw the aircraft takeoff, but it did not climb after takeoff. An investigation revealed that the accident occurred in an area that was isolated from ground lights. A post crash examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, engine or propellers. According to the pilot's log book, his last night flight was on 3/22/85. He had been on duty for approximately 14 hours when the accident occurred. All seven occupants were killed.

Cause: Human factor

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

1

Passengers On Board

6

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 7

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Lander - Riverton - Denver

Flight Type

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

North America • United States of America

Aircraft Details

Registration

N2727A

MSN

441-0201

Year of Manufacture

1981