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Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20C in Vail

Date & Time: Jan 8, 2010 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XA-PCC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Vail - Chihuahua
MSN:
159
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11000
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Circumstances:
During taxi the airplane was observed to run over a tire chock with the left main gear tire. During a turn out of the ramp, the left main gear was observed to run over the nose gear chock that had been removed from the nose gear by the pilot during pre-flight. During the departure roll, the left main gear tire failed and the pilot elected to abort the takeoff attempt. The airplane did not stop on the remaining runway surface and departed the runway overrun area, coming to rest in snow-covered terrain. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.
Probable cause:
The flight crew’s improper preflight inspection and failure to remove the main landing gear wheel chock, resulting in damage and subsequent failure of the main landing gear tire during the takeoff roll.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 24A in Vail: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1987 at 2045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N31SK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Denver - Vail
MSN:
24-118
YOM:
1966
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
19275
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8432
Circumstances:
After refueling in Denver, the medical evacuation flight was diverted from Aspen to Eagle to enplane the patient. IFR flight to Eagle was uneventful and radar service was terminated after the controller cleared the flight for the lDA-A approach to the Eagle Airport which shows a 239° inbound course. The last radio contact occurred when the crew replied 'we're 8 to 10 out and it's clear ahead' to Eagle radio in answer to a request for a base report. The flight collided with an 8,022 foot msl mountaintop bearing 298°, 3.88 miles from the airport while in the approach configuration. The safety board believes the flight was circling to land on runway 07, and the dark night prevented required visual lookout to avoid terrain obstructions. The Jeppesen approach charts used by the flightcrew did not accurately depict terrain obstructions within the 5-mile radius of the airport as stipulated in their legend. The safety board believes this could have mislead the flightcrew. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
Findings
1. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
2. (f) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
3. (f) lack of familiarity with geographic area - pilot in command
4. (f) light condition - dark night
5. Visual lookout - not possible - pilot in command
6. (f) approach charts - inaccurate
7. (c) planned approach - improper - pilot in command
8. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
9. (f) minimum descent altitude - disregarded - pilot in command
Final Report: