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NTSB Report
July 12, 1985 · Piper PA-28-161 · N2443Y
Aspen, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Aspen, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N2443Y
Operator
Flower Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN85FA186
CFI AND STUDENT DEPARTED ASPEN, COLORADO, ON A DUAL X-COUNTRY FLT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 9954 FEET. THE CFI DIRECTED STUDENT TO FLY UP A CANYON IN AN AREA OF RISING TERRAIN. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF ACFT AND WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER TERRAIN THAT RISES UPWARD TO 11000 FEET. THE ACFT STRUCK TALL TREES AT THE 9800 FOOT LEVEL. THE ACCIDENT SITE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 11916 FEET. THE ACFT SERVICE CEILING IS 12000 FEET.
Full Narrative
CFI AND STUDENT DEPARTED ASPEN, COLORADO, ON A DUAL X-COUNTRY FLT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 9954 FEET. THE CFI DIRECTED STUDENT TO FLY UP A CANYON IN AN AREA OF RISING TERRAIN. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF ACFT AND WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER TERRAIN THAT RISES UPWARD TO 11000 FEET. THE ACFT STRUCK TALL TREES AT THE 9800 FOOT LEVEL. THE ACCIDENT SITE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 11916 FEET. THE ACFT SERVICE CEILING IS 12000 FEET.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN2443Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFlower Aviation
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 30 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 9 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC