Swearingen SA226-T accident near Byers, CO
On December 20, 1997, a Swearingen SA226-T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Byers, CO. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 20, 1997
- Place
- Byers, CO
- Aircraft
- Swearingen SA226-T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.710°N, 104.221°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X09301
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 19, 1997, approximately 2017 mountain standard time, a Swearingen SA226-T (Merlin III), N950TT, was destroyed following impact with terrain near Byers, Colorado. The airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was fatally injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed (weather data and pilot reports indicate that visual meteorological conditions existed above an estimated 8,000 feet msl) for the night cross-country personal flight which originated from Front Range Airport (FTG) near Denver, Colorado, approximately 9 minutes before the accident. An IFR flight plan had been activated with the destination of Aspen, Colorado (ASE). Witnesses reported to the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) that maintenance personnel at Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), had been working on N950TT "right up to the pilot's departure from Midway." One witness further stated that he remembered the pilot departing Midway sometime between 1300 and 1315 MST. Data from the pilot's logbook indicated that he had flown to Waukegan Regional Airport (UGN) where a mechanic reported to the IIC that a second transponder was reinstalled. The mechanic further stated that "N950TT was on the ground for only a short period of time and that the pilot appeared very eager to get started on his flight to ASE." The mechanic reported that the airplane was "full of packages and personal stuff." FAA records indicate that N950TT departed UGN at 1506 for ASE. Witnesses at FTG reported that N950TT landed on r
Probable cause
The pilot inadvertently stalling the airplane and his subsequent spatial disorientation which prevented him from maintaining airplane control. Factors were excessive workload on the pilot and the dark night light conditions.
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Browse: Colorado · Swearingen 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.
