NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On August 1, 2002, approximately 0855 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N6444J, impacted the terrain while maneuvering near Gypsum, Colorado. The private pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the Glenwood Flyers L.L.C. of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed the Eagle Regional Airport (EGE), Eagle, Colorado, approximately 0840, and was destined for Idaho Falls, Idaho.

According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported he departed the Glenwood Springs Municipal airport approximately 0700 en route to EGE, as the sole occupant of the airplane for that flight. The pilot reported the visibility was good; however, the flight encountered soot and smoke-haze from forest fires in the area. At 0715, the flight landed at EGE, and the pilot instructed a refueler at the fixed based operator (FBO) to "fill the tanks to the tabs."

Prior to departing EGE for Idaho Falls, the pilot performed a "standard pre-flight and weight and balance checks." The pilot reported the "plane's gross weight was approximately 2,270 pounds. The certified maximum gross weight is 2,400 pounds." At 0830, the luggage was stowed, and the pilot and the three passengers boarded the airplane. The luggage consisted of a back pack, a lap top computer, and four other pieces of the luggage. The pilot completed a flight plan, and "per the flight plan, the planned cruising speed was 85 [miles per hour] mph, with a planned climb rate of about 300-400 feet per minute. The plan called for a climb to a cruising altitude of 12,500 feet."

The airplane departed EGE runway 25, which is 8,000 feet in length, and the pilot then turned to a heading of 296 degrees due to hot air balloon activity south of the airport. After departure, the pilot contacted the Denver flight service station (FSS) and activated the VFR flight plan. The pilot reported that "after climbing about 10 to 15 minutes heading about 290 [degrees] up a valley I noticed that the vertical climb rate had decreased to about 100-200 feet per minute, half the climb rate that was expected at full power. The pilot added that the aircraft seemed not to be performing with the power that should be expected at full throttle." The pilot did not recall any events immediately preceding or following the impact with the terrain.

In a telephone interview with the surviving female passenger conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the passenger, who was seated in the right front seat, reported approximately 5 minutes into the flight, she commented to the pilot that "we're going kinda low." The pilot responded that the "[vertical speed indicator] was at 1, [it] should have been at 6." Approximately 10 minutes later into the flight, the passenger noticed that the airplane was close to the tree tops, and felt like the airplane struck a tree top. The passenger looked at the windscreen, saw a plateau in front of the airplane, and thought "was [the pilot] trying to land the airplane...we're going down." The airplane impacted the terrain, became airborne again and possibly spinning, struck the ground again, and "everything kind of exploded." She reported that during the flight, the pilot did not mention any problems with the airplane or engine. The accident flight was the first flight the passenger flew with the pilot.

A flight instructor, who departed with a student pilot in an airplane from EGE behind the accident airplane, reported that the pilot and his passengers departed runway 25. The instructor stated the accident airplane's takeoff roll, prior to rotation, was approximately 5,000 feet in length. The accident airplane departed the runway and turned to an estimated 305-degree magnetic heading toward the rising terrain. The flight instructor and student then departed runway 25 and executed a climbing 270-degree turn to the left, which was the recommended VFR departure pattern due to a noise abatement policy over the town of Gypsum. The instructor commented to the student that he did not feel the accident airplane would clear the rising terrain. The instructor was able to maintain visual contact with the accident airplane from departure to the Sweetwater Lake area. The flight instructor stated that the accident airplane altitude was 200-300 feet agl during his observation of the flight.

After the accident, the flight instructor visited the passenger in the hospital. The passenger stated to the flight instructor that the pilot mentioned "that in the flight from Glenwood Springs to Eagle (earlier) he had been climbing at 600 feet per minute but that now they were only climbing at 100 feet per minute. [The pilot] said that it would not be a problem because they would just continue toward the higher terrain and find some updrafts."

Local authorities received a 9-1-1 call from the Sweetwater Resort approximately 1200. Two ranchers on horseback located the pilot who had left the airplane to search for assistance. A helicopter from the Colorado Army National Guard located the accident site approximately 1235, and then transported the two surviving passengers and the pilot to a medical facility. The wreckage was located 19 nautical miles northwest of EGE at latitude 39 degrees 48 minutes North, and longitude 107 degrees 16 minutes West, and at an elevation of approximately 10,050 feet msl. The Colorado Army National Guard flightcrew reported the sky clear and temperature 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot received his private pilot certificate, with an airplane single-engine land rating, on December 4, 2000. The pilot was issued a third-class medical certificate on June 12, 2002, with no restrictions or limitations. According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported he had accumulated approximately 260 total flight hours with 50 flight hours in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot's most recent biennial flight review was conducted in December, 2002. The pilot's logbook was destroyed by the post-impact fire.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The 1968-model Piper PA-28-180, serial number 28-4862, was a single-engine, low wing, fixed landing gear, semi-monocoque design airplane. The airplane was powered by a four cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally opposed, normally aspirated Lycoming O-360-A4A (serial number L-12490-36A) engine, rated at 180 horsepower. The airplane was configured to carry a maximum of four occupants.

The airplane was issued a standard airworthiness certificate on April 4, 1968, and was certificated for normal category operations. The airplane's current registration was issued on August 30, 2000. A review of the airframe logbooks revealed that the airframe underwent its most recent annual inspection on November 9, 2001, at a total airframe time of 2,755.25 hours and a tachometer time of 1,530.15 hours. There were no subsequent entries in the airframe logbook. A review of the engine logbook revealed that the engine underwent its most recent 100-hour inspection on November 9, 2001, at a total engine time since new of 2,755.25 hours, and at a tachometer time of 1530.15 hours. On July 21, 2002, the engine underwent an oil and filter change, at a tachometer time of 1,777.02 hours. The total airframe and engine times at the time of the accident could not be determined.

The most recent airplane weight and balance was calculated on February 20, 1989. The airplane's basic empty weight and center of gravity (CG) were 1,364.9 pounds (lbs) and 85.39 inches, respectively. According to the approved aircraft flight manual, the maximum allowable gross weight for the accident aircraft was 2,400 lbs, with an approximate CG range between 90.6 - 95.9 inches.

Considering the weight of the occupants, baggage, and full fuel, the aircraft's gross weight at the time of departure from EGE was calculated approximately 2,270 lbs with a CG of 91.33 inches. The following weights were used for the weight and balance calculation: pilot (front left seat) - 200 lbs, passenger (front right seat) - 170 lbs, passenger (rear left seat) - 35 lbs, passenger (rear right seat) 200 lbs, baggage - 60 lbs, and fuel - 240 lbs (40.0 gallons total / 6 lbs per gallon). The weights used for the occupants and baggage were estimated by the IIC.

According to fueling records provided by the Vail Valley Jet Center, Gypsum, Colorado, the airplane was topped-off with 16.9 gallons of 100LL aviation grade fuel on the morning of the accident.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported the visibility was 10+ miles, sky clear, temperature 60 degrees Fahrenheit, no restrictions to visibility and no turbulence.

At 0655, the EGE Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) reported the wind calm, 10 statute miles visibility, sky clear, temperature 52 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.29 inches of Mercury.

At 1055, the EGE ASOS reported the wind calm, 10 statute miles visibility, sky clear, temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.25 inches of Mercury.

For 0655 and 1055, the density altitude (DA) at EGE was calculated by the NTSB IIC to be 7,255 feet and 8,834 feet, respectively, and the DA at the accident site was calculated to be 11,596 feet and 13,175 feet, respectively. The DA calculations were based on the EGE ASOS reports, the airport/facilities directory (A/FD) published airport elevation of 6,535 feet, and the accident site elevation, recorded with a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver at 10,050 feet.

For 0830, the estimated DA at EGE was calculated to 7,885 feet, and at the accident site was calculated to 12,226 feet. The estimated DA calculations were based on the pilot's temperature report of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the A/FD's airport elevation, the accident site elevation, and an altimeter setting of 30.25 inches of Mercury.

AERODROME INFORMATION

The Eagle County Regional Airport, EGE, is a public, controlled airport located approximately 4 miles west of Eagle, Colorado, at 39 degrees 38 minutes north latitude, and 106 degrees 55 minutes west longitude, at a surveyed elevation of 6,535 feet. The airport features a single asphalt runway, runway 7/25, which is 8,000 feet in length and 150 feet in width. According to the airport/facilities directory, "Recommend all aircraft departing runway 25 initiate a left turn as soon as altitude and safety permit to avoid high terrain."

COMMUNICATIONS AND RADAR DATA

According to the Eagle Control Tower communication transcript, at 0839:42, the pilot contacted the tower and reported he was ready for takeoff. At 0839:54, N6444J was cleared for takeoff and advised of hot air balloon activity and possibly a hang glider southwest of the airport. At 0843:56, the controller approved a frequency change for N6444J. The pilot did not acknowledge the transmission, and that was the last radio communication transmission between the Eagle controller and the accident airplane.

At 0848:55, the pilot contacted Denver Automated FSS and requested activation of his VFR flight plan. The controller acknowledged the request and advised the pilot of reduced visibility due to smoke and the temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) along the intended route of flight. There were no further communications between air traffic control services and the accident airplane.

The Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) radar data depicted the airplane departing EGE and executing a right turn to the north-northwest. The radar data indicated that the flight path followed the mountainous valley known as the "Sweetwater drainage", which featured rising terrain. The last radar position of the accident airplane was recorded at 0853:45, at 39 degrees 48 minutes 37 seconds north latitude and 107 degrees 11 minutes 32 seconds west longitude, at an altitude of 9,100 feet msl, and 4.29 nautical miles on a bearing of 266.5 degrees to the accident site.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane impacted rolling grass and terrain and came to rest upright near two small groups of trees, at an elevation of approximately 10, 050 feet. The wreckage energy path measured approximately 100 feet in length on a measured magnetic heading of 240 degrees. The initial ground scar contained aluminum fragments and the adjacent rocks to the right of the ground scar displayed aluminum transfers. Near the initial impact area was the right wing tip which came to rest on the right side of the energy path. A second ground scar, which contain underside fuselage components and a main landing gear strut, was located 45 feet from the initial impact point along the energy path. The airplane came to rest on a measured magnetic heading of 090 degrees. The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, the left and right wings, the engine, and the empennage.

The left wing remained attached to the fuselage and the control surfaces remained attached to their respective attach points. The fuel tank was ruptured, and the wing was partially consumed by fire. The left main landing gear was separated from the wing structure. The flap was found in the retracted position, and continuity was established to the flap and aileron control surfaces. The outboard 4 feet of the right wing and aileron were separated and came to rest in the energy path. The remaining right wing section came to rest inverted adjacent to the fuselage, and was separated at the attach points. The fuel tank was ruptured, and the wing was consumed by fire. The lower section of the main landing gear was separated. The right aileron control cables were attached to the bell crank and continuity was established.

The horizontal and vertical stabilizers remained attached to their respective attach points and were partially consumed by fire. The rudder and horizontal stabilizer control surfaces remained attached to their respective attach points, the control cables were found secure, and control continuity was established. The stabilator trim drum inner shaft had a measured shaft extension of 1 inch (nine threads exposed). The measurement was consistent with a stabilator trim setting of approximately 4 degrees nose up.

The entire cockpit and cabin area was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The flap handle was found in the retracted position. All four seat frame attach points were found secure. All four seatbelt buckles were located, and one remained in the buckled position. All cockpit instruments and controls were destroyed by the fire.

The engine was partially separated from the firewall, and the engine mounts were fractured. The number 3 cylinder rocker cover was damaged in the area consistent with the intake valve. The spark plugs were removed and according to the Champion Spark Check-A-Plug chart AV-27, the spark plug electrodes were worn beyond service limits. The engine cylinders were boroscoped, the number 3 intake valve was observed not to close onto the seat, and no anomalies were noted with the other cylinders. The engine was rotated by hand, and continuity was established throughout the engine and accessories. The engine and its components were retained and shipped to the manufacturer for further examination.

The two-bladed fixed pitch propeller remained intact. Both blades were bent aft and twisted toward the direction of rotation. The leading edges of both blades displayed gouging and chord wise surface scraping and scratches.

The airplane was equipped with an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). The ELT was destroyed by the post crash fire.

PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

A toxicological test was not performed on the pilot.

FIRE

A post-impact fire consumed the right wing, a portion of the left wing, a portion of the empennage, the cockpit and cabin. No evidence of pre-impact fire was noted.

SURVIVAL ASPECTS

On

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to perform remedial action and maintain clearance with the rising mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's poor planning/decision, the rising terrain, and the high density altitude.