Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On October 9, 1999, at 1100 mountain daylight time, a Kendall/McKaughlin Rans S-10 Sakota, N444YB, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during initial climb following takeoff from a private airstrip 5 miles east of Hudson, Colorado. The private pilot occupant was not injured. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The planned destination was Jefferson County Airport, Broomfield, Colorado.

According to the pilot, he initiated several turns following takeoff due to terrain that the aircraft could not climb to clear. The pilot said the aircraft settled in a level attitude and struck soft terrain that caused the struts to penetrate the wings.

Density altitude at the time was approximately 7,000 feet above mean sea level. Inadequate preflight planning when the pilot failed to evaluate aircraft performance and weather. Factors were high density altitude, and unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.