Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn November 19, 2013, at 1810 mountain standard time, a Cessna T210M airplane, N6832B, impacted terrain near Cedaredge, Colorado. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by Montana National Incorporated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed prior to departure. The flight departed from the Zamperini Field Airport (TOA), Torrance, California at 1448 and was destined for Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE), Aspen, Colorado.

According to voice recordings provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane was inbound to KASE at 13,500 feet mean sea level (MSL), with the pilot receiving visual flight rules (VFR) flight following services from Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). The pilot requested an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance about 55 miles southwest of ASE. The controller issued an IFR clearance to ASE at 15,000 feet MSL and requested that the pilot transmit flight plan information.

While the pilot was transmitting the requested flight plan information, the controller observed the airplane make a significant left turn (about 180 degrees) away from the assigned clearance. When the controller inquired as to the airplane's heading, the pilot stated that his autopilot had disconnected. The controller subsequently issued the pilot a heading back towards ASE, which the pilot accepted. The airplane continued to turn left and made a rapid descent. Both radar and radio contact were subsequently lost. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot, age 57, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings. On March 1, 2013, the pilot was issued a Class 3 medical certificate, which required corrective lenses be available for near vision. At the time of the medical examination, the pilot reported having 1,560 hours of total flight experience, with 50 hours in the last six months. The pilot reported 950 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane on his policy renewal for aircraft insurance, dated May 16, 2013. Recent pilot logbooks were not available for the investigation.

The pilot received his instrument rating on August 8, 2011. The flight instructor who recommended the pilot for his instrument rating stated the pilot was very thoughtful and analytical, with strong flying skills. The flight instructor stated all their training flights occurred in the Southern California area. Actual instrument meteorological conditions encountered during the training were typically stratus clouds. About a month prior to the accident, the pilot had flown instrument approaches into TOA with a friend as the safety pilot. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe accident airplane, a 1978 Cessna T210M, was registered to Montana National Inc. A standard airworthiness certificate was issued f