Englewood

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to cruise altitude, the pilot reported the left engine cowl assembly had come off. Witnesses observed the airplane at low altitude and noted that it was 'yawing, sputtering, and rocking back and forth.' They indicated the left engine was not running and that the airplane banked sharply to the right and disappeared behind trees before crashing. An investigation revealed the left propeller had not been feathered. The left engine cowling was found 1.8 miles from the accident site. The three primary (eyebolt) cowl fasteners on the outboard side of the left upper cowl were found unlocked & seven other cowl attaching studs (screws) were missing. The cowling had been removed 16 days before the accident to install an oil/air separator. This was the first flight since that work was performed. The mechanic, who did the work, said he noted several cowl stud fasteners were missing and that he had notified the pilot. The pilot was reported to have replied that he had some fasteners and would take care of the problem. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The pilot obtained two weather briefings and filed an IFR flight plan to El Paso, TX. He was not instrument rated. The aircraft departed Englewood at 1959 and disappeared from radar at 2010. The crash site was 11- 1/2 miles southeast of the Kiowa vortac and 36 miles southeast of Englewood. Radar showed a 15-miles wide band of snow showers southeast of the Kiowa vortac. Ground witnesses reported blizzard conditions. Pilot medical certificate stated, 'not valid for night flight or by color control.' Pilot autopsy also disclosed 'myxomatous alteration of the mitral valve, consistent with mitral valve prolapse (floppy mitral valve).' Both occupants were killed.

After taking off at approximately 2250, the aircraft was identified on radar and observed to climb on course to an altitude of 10,700 feet. The aircraft then descended thru 10,500 feet and the crew reported they would maintain that altitude. At about 2301 the aircraft was about 5 miles southeast of Colorado Springs and at 10,300 feet when radar contact was lost. The aircraft crashed in that area in a near vertical descent. The outboard 8 feet of the right wing had separated in flight and impacted about 1/4 mile from the main wreckage. The right aileron had sheared in 3 pieces also and was found near the failed wing. There was evidence that the the wing had yielded to a down and up loading (1 cycle) when it separated upward and rearward. All fracture surfaces had evidence of overload failures except the aileron control linkage which was further damaged on impact and could not be evaluated. Both pilots were using medication that was contraindicated for use by airmen and both pilots had little sleep during the previous 48 hours. Before the flight the pilot seemed agitated and the copilot had an odor of beer. Both occupants were killed.