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NTSB Report
July 15, 1990 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8102C
Garfield, CO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Garfield, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8102C
Operator
Russell I Erickson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW90FA141
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE 1/2 MILE AWAY FROM MONARCH PASS, FLYING TOWARD THE PASS. THEY SAID IT PASSED UNDER HIGH VALTAGE POWER LINES THAT WERE ACROSS THE VALLEY, FLYING JUST ABOVE THE TREES. IT STARTED A NOSE HIGH RIGHT TURN. THEN ABRUPTLY TURNED LEFT, AND DROPPED NOSE DOWN TOWARD THE TREES. IT IMPACTED AT 10,800 FEET MSL. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED AT 13,200 FEET. MONARCH PASS IS 11,312 FEET MSL. THE GROSS WEIGHT AND THE CG WERE WITHIN LIMITS. NO PRE-IMPACT PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY INTO THE MOUNTAIN PASS AND THE SUBSEQUENT INABILITY TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE GROUND CLEARANCE.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE 1/2 MILE AWAY FROM MONARCH PASS, FLYING TOWARD THE PASS. THEY SAID IT PASSED UNDER HIGH VALTAGE POWER LINES THAT WERE ACROSS THE VALLEY, FLYING JUST ABOVE THE TREES. IT STARTED A NOSE HIGH RIGHT TURN. THEN ABRUPTLY TURNED LEFT, AND DROPPED NOSE DOWN TOWARD THE TREES. IT IMPACTED AT 10,800 FEET MSL. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED AT 13,200 FEET. MONARCH PASS IS 11,312 FEET MSL. THE GROSS WEIGHT AND THE CG WERE WITHIN LIMITS. NO PRE-IMPACT PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:05 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8102C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRussell I Erickson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC