Status:	Definitief
Datum:	18 DEC 1977
Tijd:	01:38 MST
Type:	Douglas DC-8-54F
Luchtvaartmaatschappij:	United Airlines
Registratie:	N8047U
Constructienummer:	45880/275
Bouwjaar:	1966
Motoren:	4 Pratt & Whitney JT3D-
Bemanning:	slachtoffers: 3 / inzittenden: 3
Passagiers:	slachtoffers: 0 / inzittenden: 0
Totaal:	slachtoffers: 3 / inzittenden: 3
Schade:	Afgeschreven
Gevolgen:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Plaats:	5 km (3.1 mijl) E of Kaysville, UT (Verenigde Staten)
Fase:	Nadering (APR)
Soort vlucht:	Vracht
Vliegveld van vertrek:	San Francisco International Airport, CA (SFO/KSFO), Verenigde Staten
Vliegveld van aankomst:	Salt Lake City International Airport, UT (SLC/KSLC), Verenigde Staten
Vluchtnummer:	2860

Beschrijving:
The aircraft was flying a holding pattern near Salt Lake City because of problems with the electrical system. The flight crew contacted the company maintenance and were absent from the approach control frequency for about 7,5 minutes. During this time the aircraft had entered an area near hazardous terrain. When the crew returned to the approach control frequency, they were told to initiate a left turn were instructed to climb immediately to 8000 feet. The aircraft eventually struck a 7665 feet high mountain at 7200 feet.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The approach controller's issuance and the flight crew's acceptance of an incomplete and ambiguous holding clearance in combination with the flight crew's failure to adhere to prescribed impairment-of-communications procedures and prescribed holding procedures. The controller's and flight crew's actions are attributed to probable habits of imprecise communication and of imprecise adherence to procedures developed through years of exposure to operations in a radar environment. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the aircraft's No.1 electrical system for unknown reasons."

Bronnen:
» NTSB-AAR-78-8