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Crash of a Piper PA-60P near Mead: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1981 at 1710 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Ernest J. Kuney
Registration:
N68904
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Grand Junction – Walden
MSN:
60-0873-8161248
YOM:
1981
Location:
Mead
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
668
Captain / Total hours on type:
70.00
Circumstances:
While cruising poor weather conditions, the pilot got lost and disoriented. Due to an insufficient flying speed, the airplane stalled, entered a dive and crashed near Mead. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall and subsequent loss of control due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot became lost/disoriented,
- The pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Rain,
- Low ceiling,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Visibility half a mile or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.137 Jetstream III in Loveland: 13 killed

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1981 at 1601 LT
Type of aircraft:
Handley Page H.P.137 Jetstream
Operator:
Air US
Registration:
N11360
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Denver - Gillette
MSN:
238
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
US716
Location:
Loveland
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Captain / Total flying hours:
4784
Captain / Total hours on type:
1784.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2280
Copilot / Total hours on type:
210
Aircraft flight hours:
3795
Aircraft flight cycles:
3791
Circumstances:
Air US Flight 716 departed Denver-Stapleton, CO at 15:46 for a flight to Gillette, WY. At 15:59 Flight 716 contacted Denver Center to request to maintain FL130, which was approved. In the same area a Cessna TU206 (N4862F, operated by Sky's West Parachute Center) was climbing in a racetrack pattern over Fort Collins/Loveland Municipal Airport to an altitude of FL155. The Cessna had departed this airport at 15:30 for the second parachute jump flight of the day. The Cessna was in a climbing left turn on a north-westerly heading when it was hit by the Air US Jetstream. The No. 1 propeller of the Jetstream cut through the aft fuselage section of the Cessna resulting in immediate loss of control to both aircraft. Two of the skydivers were killed inside the aircraft during the collision. The pilot and three parachutists fell free of the aircraft and parachuted to the ground. The remains of the Cessna descended out of control and crashed in an open field. The Jetstream impacted the ground in a nearly vertical pitch attitude in an open field about 4,000 feet northeast of the Cessna wreckage.
Probable cause:
The failure of the Cessna pilot to establish communications with the Denver Center and his climbing into controlled airspace above 12,500 feet without an authorised deviation from the altitude encoding transponder (Mode-C) requirement, the practice of the Denver Center of routinely condoning Sky's West parachute jump operations above 12,500 feet without a Mode-C transponder and the failure of the pilots of both aircraft to "see and avoid" each other. Contributing to the accident was the fact that existing regulations do not prohibit parachute jumping in, or immediately adjacent to, Federal airways.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Lafayette: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1981 at 1415 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Paul B. Knight
Registration:
N900E
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lafayette - Lafayette
MSN:
421B-0359
YOM:
1973
Location:
Lafayette-Erie (ex Tri-County)
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
68.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in a local post maintenance test flight with two pilots on board. After takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane rolled to the right then became uncontrollable and crashed. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed,
- Engine structure: cylinder assembly, unapproved modification,
- Engine structure: piston, piston rings, wrong parts,
- Engine structure: valve assemblies, leak, over torqued,
- Unfavorable wind conditions with wind gusting up to 40 knots,
- Witness reported smoke from engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air 200 near Parker: 10 killed

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1980 at 1452 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 200 Super King Air
Operator:
Registration:
N456L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lufkin – Denver – Nacogdoches
MSN:
BB-112
YOM:
1976
Location:
Parker
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
10225
Captain / Total hours on type:
550.00
Circumstances:
About 9 1/2 minutes after departure from Denver-Arapahoe County Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency, reporting airframe icing. The crew was vectored to Denver-Stapleton International Airport when the aircraft entered a controlled descent until it crashed in a prairie located about 13 miles east of Arapahoe Airport, northeast of Parker. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was the rapid accumulation of ice on the underwing surface aft of the deicing boots which destroyed the aircraft's capability to maintain level flight because the flightcrew: failed to obtain a current weather briefing before departure; failed to make a timely decision to discontinue the climb and return to Arapahoe Airport; and operated the over-gross-weight aircraft at high angles of attack in severe icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B60 Duke in Hayden: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1979 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 60 Duke
Operator:
Vernon E. Faulconer
Registration:
N6030S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Denver - Hayden
MSN:
P-328
YOM:
1975
Location:
Hayden-Yampa Valley
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
12800
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a corporate flight from Denver to Hayden-Yampa Valley Airfield, Colorado. On approach, he encountered poor weather conditions due to low ceiling and fog. At an altitude of 7,200 feet, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed in flames 3,3 nm from the runway 10 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Zero visibility.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1979 at 1236 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Design for Living
Registration:
N100RV
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Eagle County - Sun Valley
MSN:
421B-0549
YOM:
1973
Location:
Eagle County-FlyVail
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
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 Cessna 500 Citation I in Castle Rock: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1979 at 2015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 500 Citation
Operator:
National Jet Industries
Registration:
N555AJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Albuquerque - Castle Rock
MSN:
500-0007
YOM:
1971
Location:
Castle Rock
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1751
Captain / Total hours on type:
61.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Albuquerque to Castle Rock. On final approach, he encountered poor weather conditions with icing, low ceiling and snow falls, reducing the visibility to one mile in blowing snow. On approach, the airplane crashed in flames few miles short of runway threshold. A pilot was seriously injured while two other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground during initial approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions,
- Visibility one mile or less,
- The pilot was upgraded to left seat six days prior to the accident,
- The copilot was certified on type two days prior to the accident,
- Crew inexperience.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Pueblo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 6, 1979 at 1102 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 25
Operator:
Chapman Commodities
Registration:
N40BC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Denver - Pueblo
MSN:
25-128
YOM:
1973
Location:
Pueblo
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
9576
Captain / Total hours on type:
5456.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training flight from Denver to Pueblo-Memorial Airport. On final approach, during the last segment, the airplane banked to the left, causing the left wingtip to struck the ground. The crew increased power when control was lost. The airplane overturned and crashed. Two pilots were killed while the third occupant was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled ground loop-swerve upon touchdown due to control interference. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Personnel - production, design: poor/inadequate design,
- Spontaneous and improper action on part of the pilot-in-command,
- Pilot's boot found jammed in rudder pedals,
- Left pedal bent.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61P Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 601P) in Aspen: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1979 at 1604 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
May Petroleum
Registration:
N35FC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Aspen - Amarillo
MSN:
61-0256-048
YOM:
1976
Location:
Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2500
Captain / Total hours on type:
12.00
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction and subsequent uncontrolled descent for unknown reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- High density altitude, approximately 8,600 feet,
- Left engine reported rough before takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter in Steamboat Springs: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1978 at 1945 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N25RM
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Steamboat Springs - Denver
MSN:
387
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
JC217
Location:
Steamboat Springs-Bob Adams
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7340
Captain / Total hours on type:
3904.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3816
Copilot / Total hours on type:
320
Aircraft flight hours:
15145
Circumstances:
The flight departed Steamboat Springs-Bob Adams Airport at 1855LT on a scheduled flight to Denver-Stapleton, carrying 20 passengers and a crew of two. After takeoff, while climbing, the crew encountered severe icing conditions and was cleared to return when the flight crashed into a mountain at the 10,530 feet level. Rescuers arrived on scene the following morning. A pilot and a passenger died while 20 other occupants were injured, most of them seriously. According to official observations, the weather at Steamboat Springs about 25 minutes before the accident consisted of an estimated 2,000 feet overcast ceiling and 6 miles visibility in freezing rain. According to surviving passengers, after the accident, snow was falling at the crash site and a strong wind was blowing and gusting from the west.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was severe icing and strong downdrafts associated with a mountain wave which combined to exceed the aircraft's capability to maintain flight. Contributing to the accident was the captain's decision to fly into probable icing conditions that exceeded the conditions authorised by company directive.
Final Report:
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