Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field

The aircraft departed Nashville, TN, for a flight to Aspen, CO. The pilots made one refueling stop at Chanute, KS. The pilots were unable to land at Aspen or a nearby alternate airport (Eagle, CO) and elected to return back to the Denver area. The pilots indicated to an ARTCC controller that they were low fuel. Before they could reach an airport the pilot told the controller they had engine failure and thought they had run out of fuel. During the emergency descent the aircraft struck an electrical power pole, power lines and then the ground. Inspection of the aircraft revealed 2 to 3 gallons of fuel remaining in each main fuel tank. All six occupants were injured, three seriously.

The pilot was flying his wife and her 4 friends to Aspen, CO for a ski vacation. Witnesses reported that during takeoff, the right baggage door opened. They observed the aircraft turn left onto a downwind with the landing gear extended. Eight witnesses reported the engines were producing power of varying degrees; two stated the left engine stopped running and two reported the right engine had a reduction of power or rpm. In the vicinity of where the pilot would have made a base turn, the aircraft entered a left descending turn, collided with the tops of trees beside a road, impacted in the roadway on an easterly heading, slid to a stop and burned. An exam revealed the gear was down, the left propeller was feathered and there was evidence the right baggage door was open. The throttle quadrant was found with the left throttle 2/3 forward, the right throttle full aft, the left propeller control in the feather position, the right prop control full forward and the mixtures at or near their forward positions. The flight characteristics of the aircraft were considered normal with the baggage door open. All six occupants were killed.

The aircraft crashed approximately 1.5 miles south of the departure end of runway 17 during an attempted runway 17 NDB approach. The aircraft was cleared for the approach at 2012 cst and the pilot canceled IFR reporting the airport in sight at 2014. A witness located approximately 1 mile south of the airport reported seeing the aircraft lights through the clouds, mist and fog as it was traveling south-southeast. The aircraft impacted the ground on a heading of 035° in a 10° to 15° left bank. Radar data indicates the aircraft was approximately 8 miles from the airport when IFR was canceled. Witnesses stated visibility in the area was about 1/8 of a mile during the time of the accident. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

While en route, the aircrew encountered stronger headwinds than expected. They realized there would not be enough fuel reserves for an IFR flight to Aspen, so they elected to divert to Eagle, CO. However, their landing at Eagle was delayed due to a snowplow (with no radio) on the runway. After circling and reentering final approach, the aircrew noted that the snowplow was still on the runway, headed in their direction. They continued their approach and the snowplow cleared the runway. According to the snowplow operator, the aircraft was 100 to 200 feet agl when it crossed the threshold. A FSS specialist noted that the aircraft was still airborne when it passed the 2nd turnoff, approximately 2,300 feet from the threshold. After touching down on the snow covered runway, the pilot deployed the spoilers and immediately applied braking action, but was unable to stop on the remaining runway. The aircraft continued off the end of the runway, went down a 15 feet bank and ran into a small ravine. The runway gradient was 1.4% downhill, elev 6,538 feet. Drag chute was not deployed, 600 lbs fuel remaining. All six occupants were evacuated, among them five were injured, one seriously.

Prior to departure the flight was given an IFR clearance which began at Herls intersection (16 miles NNE) and to cross Herls at or above 16,000 feet msl. Departure airport field elevation is 7,793 feet. Flights are required to proceed VFR to the initial fix of the IFR clearance. After takeoff the aircraft was observed heading northeast toward the mountains. Aircraft departing Aspen usually fly a northern heading, then turn northeast after clearing the mountains. Witnesses stated that the weather was good in the valley north of the airport, but the mountain tops east of the airport were obscured by low clouds. The aircraft crashed 3 1/2 miles northeast of the airport at the 9,000 feet level of an 11,000 feet mountain. The last time the pilot had flown into Aspen was in 1980. All four occupants were killed.

The right front seat passenger, who is a private pilot, stated that the pilot did not use takeoff flaps. The aircraft lifted off at about 85 knots and immediately started buffeting. The aircraft then impacted a highway in a nose high, left wing low attitude and collided with a rock face mountain. According to the aircraft operating manual the rate-of-climb/maximum climb chart indicates that (with wing flaps up at a density alt of 6,000 feet) the aircraft required a climb speed of 103 knots. Flaps up lift off speed is 95 knots. All six passengers were injured while the pilot was killed.

Few minutes after takeoff from Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field Airport, while climbing, the pilot reported engine malfunction and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

The approach to Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field was completed in excellent weather conditions. On final, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed short of runway. All five occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

The pilot initiated the takeoff from a snow covered runway at Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field and with an aircraft covered with ice and snow on wings. At liftoff, the twin engine airplane struck a fence located past the runway end and despite the situation, the pilot continued departure. Few minutes later, at an altitude of 11,800 feet, the pilot encountered downdrafts/updrafts and lost control of the airplane that crashed in a canyon located few miles from the airport. The wreckage was found two days later. A passenger was killed while six other occupants were seriously injured.

On final approach to Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field by night and marginal weather conditions, the pilot get troubled by the presence of frost on the windshield and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient. The airplane struck the slope of a mountain located few miles short of runway and was destroyed upon impact. All eight occupants were killed.