Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn September 25, 2015, about 1126 mountain daylight time, a Beech S35 single-engine airplane, N193Q, impacted terrain following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed by the impact and postaccident fire. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed the Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado, at an unknown time, and was enroute to the Stevens Field Airport (PSO), Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

The accident airplane departed DRO with another airplane, and the two pilots planned to participate in an air race competition in the Pagosa Springs area on September 26th. Prior to landing at PSO, the pilots in the two airplanes, who were communicating via airplane radio, decided to execute a circuit in the Pagosa Springs air race course. As the airplanes entered the course, the accident airplane was behind the other airplane. After the first course waypoint, the accident pilot radioed the other pilot and stated the engine lost power, and the airplane was going down. No further communications were heard from the accident airplane.

Witnesses, who were located in the Pagosa Springs area, reported observing white smoke coming from the underside of the accident airplane. The airplane turned left, descended below rising terrain, and a smoke plume was then seen shortly thereafter. Witnesses stated the sky was clear and the winds were calm. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot, age 70, held a private pilot certificate, with airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, and rotorcraft - helicopter ratings. In addition, the pilot held an airframe and powerplant mechanic's certificate. The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on August 19, 2014, with a limitation of "Must have available glasses for near vision."

According to the pilot's FAA medical certificate application, he reported a total of 5,640 flight hours and 20 hours in the previous six months. The pilot's logbook was not located during the investigation. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe accident airplane was a 1964 Beech S35, serial number D-7708. The airplane was powered by a Continental Motors IO-520-B reciprocating engine and a Hartzell controllable pitch propeller. The airplane was issued a standard airworthiness certificate on December 7, 1964.

The maintenance logbooks were not located during the investigation. The total airframe and engine time could not be determined. According to a family member, the airplane underwent its most recent annual inspection in November 2014. The family member reported that approximately 2 or 3 years prior, the engine cylinders had been chromed. The family me