Piper PA-34-220T accident near Estes Park, CO
On February 1, 1996, a Piper PA-34-220T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Estes Park, CO. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 1, 1996
- Place
- Estes Park, CO
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-220T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.020°N, 105.040°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X05130
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 31, 1996, at 2155 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N83809, registered to and operated by Rocky Mountain Propellers, Inc., was destroyed when it collided with mountainous terrain during descent 8 miles northwest of Estes Park, Colorado. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Erie, Colorado, approximately 2115. According to a family member, the pilot was en route to Payne Field, Everett, Washington, to fulfill his U.S. Army Reserve duty. A spokesman for the airplane owner said the pilot telephoned the morning of the accident and asked that the airplane be put in a heated hangar. At 1910, the pilot telephoned the Denver Automated Flight Service Station and received a standard weather briefing that included pertinent NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen), forecast weather, and a VNR (VFR flight not recommended) statement. He then filed an IFR (instrument flight rules) flight plan, and indicated the route of flight would be from Erie, Colorado, direct to Laramie and Rock Springs, Wyoming, then direct to Boise, Idaho, where he was to stop for fuel. The proposed departure time was 2030. The initial cruising altitude was to be 12,000 feet and the true airspeed was given as 160 knots. A resident adjacent to the airport said he observed a twin engine airplane take off about 2130. It circled the airport twice before disappearing from view. He said it was quite cold and there was snow and i
Probable cause
Descent into mountainous terrain for reasons undetermined.
More accidents in CO
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-14, Nov 15, 1987
- Grumman Gulfstream III, Mar 30, 2001
- Beech 1900, Jan 28, 2026
- Douglas DC3, Mar 9, 2019
- Piper PA-31-350, Dec 3, 2014
Browse: Colorado · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
