Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Lamar: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1978 at 2140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N176CC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lamar - Fort Collins
MSN:
31-7620024
YOM:
1976
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3000
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Lamar Municipal Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane entered a controlled descent then crashed in a field located three miles south of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground during climb to cruise due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Two large dogs and a cat in aircraft unrestrained,
- The pilot flew approximately 6 hours and performed 2 operations on the day of the accident.
Final Report: