Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents
Learn from Colorado's accident history to fly safer in the Rockies
2310 Total Accidents
425 Fatal
816 Fatalities
1982-2026
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2 Fatal
Kremmling, Colorado
NTSB Narrative
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On April 7, 2005, approximately 1515 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135, N3766A, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain, 4.5 miles southwest of McElroy Airfield (20V), Kremmling, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot, whose body was not recovered, is presumed to be fatally injured. The commercial pilot rated passenger was fatally injured. The airplane departed 20V approximately 1500 and was en route to Fremont County Airport (1V6), Canon City, Colorado.
According to family members, the airplane departed 1V6 between 1000 and 1100. An airport employee in Kremmling reported that the airplane arrived approximately 1245. The pilot fueled the right fuel tank with 14.65 gallons.
The accident pilot spoke with the airport employee for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. During their conversation, the pilot discussed flying through Hoosier Pass and then continuing south to 1V6 due to the winds that were increasing in velocity.
The airplane departed Kremmling approximately 1500. The airplane was reported missing on the evening of April 7, 2005, by concerned family members. An ALNOT (search and rescue alert notice) was issued at 2315 on April 7. The ALNOT was cancelled on April 18 and the search was suspended. On August 5, 2005, two hikers discovered the airplane wreckage on the south wall of Gore Canyon at an approximate elevation of 7,960 feet msl.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The male pilot, age 77, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. He held a third class airman medical certificate that was issued on June 9, 2004. The certificate contained no limitations.
The pilot's logbooks were not located during the investigation. According to the pilot's last medical certificate application, he estimated his total time at 1,900 hours.
The male pilot rated passenger, age 81, held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single and multiengine land privileges, and an instrument airplane rating. He held a third class medical certificate that was issued on April 1, 2003. The certificate contained the limitations "Must wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision."
The passenger's logbooks were not located during the investigation. According to the passenger's last medical certificate application, he estimated his total time at 4,800 hours.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The airplane was a 1954 Piper PA-22-135 (serial number 22-2008) equipped with a 135 horsepower Lycoming O-290-D2 engine. Neither the airframe nor the engine logbooks were located. According to a mechanic with Peak Aviation, an annual inspection was conducted on February 9, 2005. At the time of the annual inspection, the airplane had approximately 3,325 hours total time.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
At 1515, the routine aviation we
On April 7, 2005, approximately 1515 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135, N3766A, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain, 4.5 miles southwest of McElroy Airfield (20V), Kremmling, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot, whose body was not recovered, is presumed to be fatally injured. The commercial pilot rated passenger was fatally injured. The airplane departed 20V approximately 1500 and was en route to Fremont County Airport (1V6), Canon City, Colorado.
According to family members, the airplane departed 1V6 between 1000 and 1100. An airport employee in Kremmling reported that the airplane arrived approximately 1245. The pilot fueled the right fuel tank with 14.65 gallons.
The accident pilot spoke with the airport employee for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. During their conversation, the pilot discussed flying through Hoosier Pass and then continuing south to 1V6 due to the winds that were increasing in velocity.
The airplane departed Kremmling approximately 1500. The airplane was reported missing on the evening of April 7, 2005, by concerned family members. An ALNOT (search and rescue alert notice) was issued at 2315 on April 7. The ALNOT was cancelled on April 18 and the search was suspended. On August 5, 2005, two hikers discovered the airplane wreckage on the south wall of Gore Canyon at an approximate elevation of 7,960 feet msl.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The male pilot, age 77, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. He held a third class airman medical certificate that was issued on June 9, 2004. The certificate contained no limitations.
The pilot's logbooks were not located during the investigation. According to the pilot's last medical certificate application, he estimated his total time at 1,900 hours.
The male pilot rated passenger, age 81, held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single and multiengine land privileges, and an instrument airplane rating. He held a third class medical certificate that was issued on April 1, 2003. The certificate contained the limitations "Must wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision."
The passenger's logbooks were not located during the investigation. According to the passenger's last medical certificate application, he estimated his total time at 4,800 hours.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The airplane was a 1954 Piper PA-22-135 (serial number 22-2008) equipped with a 135 horsepower Lycoming O-290-D2 engine. Neither the airframe nor the engine logbooks were located. According to a mechanic with Peak Aviation, an annual inspection was conducted on February 9, 2005. At the time of the annual inspection, the airplane had approximately 3,325 hours total time.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
At 1515, the routine aviation we
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Details
| NTSB Report | DEN05FA124 |
| Aircraft | Piper PA-22-135 |
| Registration | N3766A |
| Damage | SUBS |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Location | 40.0272, -106.4517 |
