Zone

Crash of a Beechcraft B60 Duke in Edwards: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 2010 at 1602 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N571M
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Pueblo - Eagle
MSN:
P-534
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1300
Aircraft flight hours:
2456
Circumstances:
The air traffic controller had cleared the flight for the instrument approach and the pilot acknowledged the clearance. Radar data depicted the airplane turning toward the final approach course and then continuing the turn 180 degrees before disappearing from radar at 11,200 feet. The wreckage was located at an elevation of 10,725 feet. Examination of the terrain and ground scars indicated the airplane impacted terrain in a nose down, right turn. Impact forces and a postimpact fire resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Examination of the airplane, engines, and de-icing systems revealed no mechanical anomalies. Weather at the time of the accident was depicted as overcast skies, reduced visibility, with snow showers in the area. An icing probability chart depicted a probability of moderate rime and mixed icing. Both AIRMETs and SIGMENTs advised of moderate icing between the freezing level and flight level 220 and occasional severe rime and mixed icing below 16,000 feet. During his weather briefing, the pilot stated that he was aware of the adverse weather conditions.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain, while on an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 35A in Eagle

Date & Time: Jul 15, 2005 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N620JM
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aspen – Eagle
MSN:
35-207
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
29612
Captain / Total hours on type:
8967.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9433
Copilot / Total hours on type:
75
Aircraft flight hours:
8234
Circumstances:
A witness saw the airplane approach from the east. She said that the airplane came in "pretty fast" and touched down "approximately half way down the runway." The witness said, "The nose was down. He hit the ground and within 3 seconds he was off the runway and gone. Then all you saw was smoke." The witness said when the airplane hit "the front end shook. It wobbled like a kid on a tricycle. When it shook, it kind of looked like it [the airplane] bounced. Then it was gone." The control tower operator said he heard the captain say something over the radio, which caused him to look in the direction of the airplane. The tower operator saw the airplane off the runway, the main landing gear came off behind the airplane, and the airplane caught fire. The tower operator said he saw four people get out of the airplane. The airplane came to rest in a shallow ravine approximately 331 feet north of the runway. An examination of the airplane showed impact damage to the nose gear and nose gear wheel well. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper flare resulting in the hard landing and the fractured nose gear attachment, and the subsequent loss of control. Factors contributing to the accident were the high airspeed on approach, the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, and the pilot's inability to maintain directional control after the gear failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61-601P (Ted Smith 601) in Eagle County: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1996 at 1505 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N251B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Eagle County – Minneapolis
MSN:
61-0812-8063422
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
752
Captain / Total hours on type:
16.00
Circumstances:
The non instrument-rated pilot filed an IFR flight plan, but did not request nor was given a weather briefing. Shortly after taking off into low instrument meteorological conditions, he reported he was returning to the airport, but did not give a reason why. He never declared an emergency. The last transmission was when the pilot said he had 'the problem resolved,' and was continuing on to his destination. Various witnesses said the engines were 'revvying' and 'unsynchronized,' and that the propellers were being 'cycled.' One witness said brownish-black smoke trailed from the right engine. The airplane struck one ridge, then catapulted approximately 1,000 feet before striking another ridge. There was post impact fire. Both propellers bore high rotational damage. Disassembly of the engines, propellers, turbochargers, and various components failed to disclose what may have prompted the pilot to want to return to the airport. Internal components of the right engine, however, were black and, according to a Textron Lycoming representative, were indicative of 'an excessively rich mixture.' A psychiatrist had recently treated the pilot for depression, attention deficit and bipolar disorders. The pilot also had a history of alcohol and drug abuse. Postmortem toxicology protocol disclose the presence of Fluoxetine (an antidepressant), Norfluoxetine (its metabolite), and Hydrocodone (the most commonly prescribed opiate).
Probable cause:
The pilot initiating flight into known adverse weather conditions without proper certification. Factors were the meteorological conditions that existed --- low ceiling, low visibility, and falling
snow --- and his use of contraindicated drugs.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25D in Eagle County

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1983 at 1540 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N300PL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint Louis - Aspen
MSN:
25-247
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8376
Captain / Total hours on type:
735.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2887
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - unfavorable wind
2. (f) weather condition - high wind
----------
Occurrence #2: overrun
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
3. (c) delayed - pilot in command
4. (f) airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered
5. Airport snow removal - performed
6. Precautionary landing - continued - pilot in command
7. (c) proper touchdown point - not attained - pilot in command
8. (f) fluid, fuel - low level
9. Go-around - not performed - pilot in command
10. (f) miscellaneous equipment - not used - pilot in command
11. (f) airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - downhill
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
12. (f) terrain condition - downhill
13. (f) terrain condition - ditch
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 Marquise in Wolcott: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1981 at 1820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N444AR
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Shreveport - Eagle
MSN:
555
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
5339
Captain / Total hours on type:
45.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Shreveport, the crew started the descent to Eagle County Airport, Colorado. By a dark night and overcast ceiling, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed near Wolcott, about 13 miles northeast of Eagle County Airport. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain due to improper IFR operation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Eagle County: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1979 at 1236 LT
Registration:
N100RV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Eagle County - Sun Valley
MSN:
421B-0549
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
3052
Captain / Total hours on type:
358.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Eagle County Airport, while climbing, the pilot reported problems with the nose door that open after rotation. While returning to the airport, he complete a turn when the airplane stalled and crashed near the runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during traffic pattern after the pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to retract landing gear,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot,
- Right nose door lock in unlocked position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 60 Duke near Hatch: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1974 at 1813 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N35D
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Eagle - Las Vegas
MSN:
P-43
YOM:
1969
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
En route from Eagle to Las Vegas by night, the pilot encountered strong headwinds and severe icing conditions. In low ceiling, he lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in a mountainous terrain located near Hatch. The wreckage was found four days later, on January 24, and all six occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following poor judgment and improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Icing conditions including sleet and/or freezing rain,
- Ice propeller,
- Airframe ice,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Low ceiling,
- Adverse winds aloft,
- Strong headwinds,
- Low fuel,
- Severe icing conditions,
- Continued flight thru icing conditions until non maintained altitude,
- Wreckage found four days later.
Final Report: