Zone
Colorado

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680V in Aspen: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1970 at 0806 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6359U
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Denver - Aspen
MSN:
680-1536-4
YOM:
1965
Location:
Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
5865
Captain / Total hours on type:
525.00
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground caused by the combination of the following factors:
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures and directives,
- Failure to provide adequate directives in manual equipment on par of the operational supervisory personnel,
- High obstructions,
- Accumulation of ice on windshield,
- The pilot-in-command failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment such as windshield anti-icing and de-icing systems,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- The pilot did not follow the company informal go-around procedures,
- There were no go-around procedures in the company operations manual,
- Mountain obscured by ice on windshield.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-240-12 in Aspen

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1970 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-240
Operator:
Registration:
N270L
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Denver - Aspen
MSN:
157
YOM:
1949
Location:
Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9700
Captain / Total hours on type:
41.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Denver, the aircraft belly landed at Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field Airport. It slid on the runway for several dozen yards before coming to rest. All 27 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wheels-up landing caused by a crew error. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- The pilot-in-command failed to extend the landing gear on approach,
- The crew failed to use the approach checklist,
- Failure of the landing gear warning and indicating components,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel,
- The gear warning horn was improperly set.
Final Report:
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