Piper PA-32RT-300T accident near RYE, CO
On April 26, 1997, a Piper PA-32RT-300T (airplane) was involved in an accident near RYE, CO. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 26, 1997
- Place
- RYE, CO
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT-300T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.920°N, 104.929°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07700
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 27, 1997, at 0529 mountain daylight time a Piper PA-32, N2225A, was reported missing by family members on a flight from Jefferson County Airport (BJC), Broomfield, Colorado, to Van Nuys (VNY), California. The flight departed BJC at 1408 on April 26, 1997, and the aircraft was found on April 30, 1997, at 1630 on the 220 degree radial of the Pueblo, Colorado, VORTAC at 35 miles. The accident site was at 10,800 feet above mean sea level (msl) on a 52 degree snow covered, forested slope. There were three persons aboard and all sustained fatal injuries. The actual time of impact is unknown. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. According to persons in the accident area, the local weather was cloudy with the mountain tops obscured, According to the Denver Automated Flight Service Station, a weather brief was given to the pilot followed by an update. During both briefings, the briefer informed the pilot that VFR flight was not recommended. (See attached transcripts). Investigation into the history which lead up to the accident, provided information that on March 4, 1997, the R. W. Carpenter Company was contacted by a Mr. William Bryan Wyckoff, Jr., who contracted with the company to sell his 1979 Piper PA-32, N2225A. (See attached statement). On March 24, 1997, Mr. Joe Schwartz, of Los Angeles, California, contacted Mr. Carpenter concerning the possibility of purchasing the aircraft. In the conversation, Mr. Schwartz said he and two other persons later identified as Jacob Rahamin, Granada Hills, California, and Josep
Probable cause
The pilot initiating flight into IMC conditions in mountainous terrain. Factors were mountainous terrain, low ceiling, snow, preflight planning, and in-flight planning and decision making.
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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.
