Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On February 14, 2014, at 1423 mountain standard time, a Cirrus Design Corp. SR-22 airplane, N18DN, sustained minor damage when it impacted terrain following an intentional airframe parachute deployment near Gunnison, Colorado. The pilot reported that the airplane had encountered structural icing during cruise flight at 16,000 feet mean sea level (msl) that ultimately prevented the airplane from maintaining altitude. The pilot subsequently activated the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) and the airplane landed in mountainous terrain about 24 miles north-northeast of Gunnison, Colorado. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to ZBA LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The flight originated from the Centennial Airport (APA), Denver, Colorado at 1345. The intended destination was the Colorado City Municipal Airport (AZC), Colorado City, Arizona.The pilot reported that he had departed under clear sky conditions with no precipitation or icing forecast. About 45 minutes into the flight, he encountered instrument meteorological conditions with light icing accumulation. He advised the air traffic controller of the situation; however, before he had decided on an alternate route of flight, the icing conditions worsened. The pilot stated that the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. Unsure of the height of the cloud bases in relation to the mountainous terrain below his flight path, he elected to deploy the CAPS. The airplane ultimately landed on a mountain side in about 10 feet of snow at an elevation of approximately 11,000 feet.

Radar track data depicted the airplane on a west-southwest course at 15,900 feet msl until 1423:49 (hhmm:ss). The final radar data point was recorded at 1423:51, with an associated altitude of 15,400 feet msl. A review of air traffic control communications revealed that the pilot initially informed the controller of light icing conditions at 1421:07. The controller noted that this was the first icing report in that vicinity; although there had been earlier reports of light to moderate icing about 50 miles west of the airplane's position. The pilot declared an emergency at 1423:52, and 13 seconds later he advised that he had "pulled the parachute." He subsequently informed the controller that he had "lost control." No further communications were received from the pilot.

The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the incident. A postaccident examination revealed minor damage to the landing gear, engine cowling, and right wingtip. Effects on the airframe due to CAPS deployment alone consisted of minor damage.

The closest weather reporting facility was at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE), located about 19 miles north of the incident site