Piper PA-34-200T accident near Telluride, CO
On June 9, 2005, a Piper PA-34-200T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Telluride, CO. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 9, 2005
- Place
- Telluride, CO
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.861°N, 108.036°W
- NTSB ID
- 20050614X00765
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 9, 2005, approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N81659, operated by American Aviation Inc., was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain 11 nautical miles southwest of Telluride, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The non-scheduled domestic cargo flight was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The cross-country flight departed Grand Junction (GJT), Colorado, approximately 0855 and was en route to Animas Airpark (00C), Durango, Colorado. According to radar data, the airplane was climbing at an approximate rate of 500 feet per minute (fpm). This rate decreased to 350 fpm, 240 fpm, and approximately 140 fpm over a 24-minute period, prior to impact. Several witnesses fishing at Wood Lake heard an airplane fly over the area. Shortly thereafter, they heard a loud explosion near Mount Wilson and observed a rockslide, dust, and plume of smoke. The San Miguel County Sheriff's Office was notified and further investigation revealed the wreckage of a light twin-engine airplane. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 27, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings. He also held a certified flight instructor certificate with airplane single engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings. The pilot was issued a first class medical certificate on September 29, 2004. The certificate contained no limitations. At the time of application for the medica
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident were the high, rising terrain and fatigue.
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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.
