Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On October 23, 1999, at 1248 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172R, N9548A, impacted rising terrain during climb in the vicinity of Independence Pass near Aspen, Colorado. The private pilot in command received fatal injuries and the two private pilot passengers received serious injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight, which departed Aspen approximately 20 minutes before the accident. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed.

The aircraft fueled at Aspen and according to ground witnesses, after takeoff it was observed to fly a right downwind and proceed directly up the valley leading from Aspen to Independence Pass. The rear seat passenger verified this.

A witness who saw the accident related that the aircraft was flying slowly, in a climb, with a high nose attitude as it impacted terrain. The rear seat passenger was interviewed and stated they realized they were not going to clear the pass and discussed attempting to turn around. According to the rear seat passenger, they were flying up the center of the valley, and the pilot was flying at an airspeed just above stall. He did not recall the pilot putting flaps down and had a vague recollection of the impact sequence. He said that after the accident, hikers assisted them within "a couple" of minutes. He also related that the aircraft was functioning normally when the accident occurred.

The accident site was at 11,948 feet above mean sea level (msl) in a valley about 1.5 miles from the top of the pass. Density altitude at the accident site was calculated to be 14,100 feet msl. Independence Pass is 12,095 feet msl, and approximately 19 miles form the Aspen airport, elevation 7,815 feet. The accident site terrain was rough and rocky.

INJURIES TO PERSONS

The pilot received fatal injuries due to impact during the accident. She was in the left front seat. Both passengers received serious injuries. Both passengers were interviewed. The front seat passenger had no recollection of the accident flight, and he was the most seriously injured with spinal cord damage. The rear seat passenger had partial recollection of the accident fight.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating in airplane single engine land. She did not hold an instrument rating. Her certificate was issued on February 5, 1998, and she had accumulated approximately 260 hours of flight time, approximately 22 hours of which was introductory flight while she was attending the United States Air Force Academy several years previous. Most of her flight experience was in the accident aircraft in which she was part owner.

The pilot held a third class medical certificate with no waivers or limitations. The certificate was issued on April 28, 1997.

The pilot had received mountain-flying training from one of her partners