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Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 near Rollinsville: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1975 at 1449 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Star Aviation
Registration:
N133MA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Denver - Granby
MSN:
506
YOM:
1970
Location:
Rollinsville
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
3885
Captain / Total hours on type:
307.00
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a charter flight from Denver to Granby on behalf of Conquest Aero Resources. While cruising in poor weather conditions (low clouds and snow falls), the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck a mountain located near Rollinsville. The wreckage was found two days later, on December 28, and all nine occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Disregard of good operating practice,
- High obstructions,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- Fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 727-224 in Denver

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1975 at 1611 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-200
Operator:
Registration:
N88777
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Denver - Wichita
MSN:
19798/608
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
CO426
Location:
Denver-Stapleton
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
124
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11465
Captain / Total hours on type:
483.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6555
Copilot / Total hours on type:
998
Aircraft flight hours:
23850
Circumstances:
The takeoff from Denver-Stapleton Airport was completed from runway 35L in poor weather conditions. At that time, a thunderstorm with associated rain showers was moving over the northern portion of the airport. The Thunderstorm was surrounded by numerous other thunderstorms and associated rain showers but none of these were in the immediate vicinity of the airport. After liftoff, the airplane reached an altitude of 100 feet then lost about 41 kt of indicated airspeed in 5 seconds. The aircraft struck the ground 11.6 seconds after the airspeed began to decrease. The aircraft first hit the ground 387 feet south of the departure end of runway 35L and 106 feet to the right of the runway centerline. The aircraft continued northward to a second impact area about 135 feet north of the end of the first area. The main portion of the second area was 55 feet long and 4 feet wide. The aircraft slid northward from this area and came to rest about 1,600 feet north of the departure end of runway 35L and about 160 feet to the right of the extended runway centerline. All 131 occupants were evacuated, 15 of them were injured.
Probable cause:
The aircraft's encounter, immediately following take-off, with severe windshear at an altitude and airspeed which precluded recovery level flight; the windshear caused the aircraft to descend at a rate which could not be overcome even though the aircraft was flown at or near its maximum lift capability throughout the encounter. The windshear was generated by the outflow from a thunderstorm which was over the aircraft's departure path.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Briggsdale: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1974 at 1250 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 25
Operator:
Alpine Aircraft Charters
Registration:
N366AA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Denver - Denver
MSN:
25-151
YOM:
1974
Location:
Briggsdale
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
9323
Captain / Total hours on type:
161.00
Circumstances:
The crew (an instructor and three student pilots) departed Denver Airport in the morning for a local training flight. While cruising at an altitude of 17,400 feet, the instructor decided to introduce a runaway trim emergency to the student pilot who was on his 4th lesson on type of aircraft. The airplane entered a 20-40° nose-down attitude then crashed in a huge explosion in a field. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after the crew was unable to retrim the aircraft for undetermined reason. Unusual attitude practice with full nose down trim.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 Marquise near Glenwood Springs: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1974 at 1422 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Capital National Corporation
Registration:
N711AH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Houston - Aspen
MSN:
523
YOM:
1970
Location:
Glenwood Springs
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
165.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Aspen Airport, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions. Passing below the clouds, he became lost. While completing a last turn to the left, the airplane struck trees and crashed on a snow covered mountain located near Glenwood Springs, northwest of Aspen. The wreckage was found two days later in an isolated area. Two passengers were seriously injured while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and terrain after the pilot became lost/disoriented. The following factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Misjudged speed and clearance,
- Low ceiling,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- High obstructions,
- Snow covered terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell T-39A Sabreliner near Colorado Springs: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner
Operator:
Registration:
60-3506
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Colorado Spings - McClellan
MSN:
265-34
YOM:
1960
Location:
Colorado Springs
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Peterson AFB (Colorado Springs) on a flight to McClellan AFB with five passengers and two pilots on board. After departure, the crew reported problems with the undercarriage but was able to climb to FL230. A USAF Boeing NKC-135 registered 55-3120 was cruising in the region, enroute from Seattle to Kirtland AFB with 18 people on board. Its crew offered to proceed to a visual inspection of the underside part of the Sabreliner and positioned in a such manner. In unknown circumstances, the Sabreliner hit the top of the tail of the NKC-135. Out of control, the Sabreliner entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all seven occupants. The NKC-135 was able to continue its flight and to land without further problems at Kirtland AFB.
Probable cause:
Investigations we unable to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the in-flight collision.

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 60 in Montrose: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1973 at 1635 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Sabreliner 60
Operator:
Registration:
N743R
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Los Angeles - Montrose - Denver
MSN:
306-11
YOM:
1968
Location:
Montrose
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:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
84.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2372
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Montrose Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 1,000 feet, the airplane banked left to an angle of 55° then stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb after the left engine thrust reverser deployed. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operations of powerplant,
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Unwanted thrust reversal,
- Continued operations of left engine at climb power after unwanted in-flight deployment of the left engine thrust reverser.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B70 Queen Air near Fowler: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1971 at 0804 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 70 Queen Air
Operator:
Texas Department of Corrections
Registration:
N1384A
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Pueblo - Huntsville
MSN:
LB-18
YOM:
1969
Location:
Fowler
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:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when control was lost. The airplane crashed near Fowler and was destroyed, killing all three occupants. The wreckage was found a day later.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by icing conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate weather briefing,
- Airframe ice,
- Aircraft equipped with deicing system but usage undetermined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Martin 404 near Silver Plume: 32 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1970 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin 404
Operator:
Golden Eagle Aviation - USA
Registration:
N464M
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Wichita - Denver - Logan
MSN:
14151
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
GE108
Location:
Silver Plume
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
37
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Captain / Total flying hours:
2452
Captain / Total hours on type:
123.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
30
Circumstances:
The airplane was chartered by the Wichita State University football team for a special flight from Wichita to Logan with an intermediate stop in Denver, carrying players and supporters. After departure from Denver-Stapleton Airport, the crew went off course and followed a wrong track. While cruising at an altitude of 10,800 feet, the airplane struck trees and crashed on the slope of Mt Trelease (12,447 feet high) located about 10,6 miles west of Silver Plume. Two crew members and 30 passengers were killed while eight other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The intentional operation of the aircraft over a mountain valley route at an altitude from which the aircraft could neither climb over the obstructing terrain ahead, nor execute a successful course reversal. Significant factors were the overloaded condition of the aircraft, the virtual absence of flight planning for the chosen route of flight from Denver to Logan, a lack of understanding on the part of the crew of the performance capabilities and limitations of the aircraft, and the lack of operational management to monitor and appropriately control the actions of the flightcrew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft U-8F Seminole near Pikes Peak: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 14, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft U-8F Seminole
Operator:
Registration:
62-3859
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
LF-57
YOM:
1962
Location:
Pikes Peak
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
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane took off at 0820LT on a three-hours training mission with two pilots on board. While cruising over mountainous terrain, the crew encountered fogg conditions when the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located five miles southeast of Pikes Peak. Both occupants were killed.
Crew:
Ltc Thomas W. Wheat Jr.,
Ltc Donald Grostic.

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:
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