Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

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Burlington, Colorado

April 6, 2004 · NTSB DEN04FA057 · Cessna 182F (N3524Y)
1 Fatal
Note: This analysis may be based on NTSB preliminary reports, which represent an initial, incomplete investigation. Facts can change as the investigation progresses, and preliminary findings should not be assumed to be accurate or final. For older events, a final NTSB report may have been issued β€” always consult the NTSB Aviation Query for the authoritative record.

NTSB Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On April 6, 2004, at 0730 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182F, N3524Y, was destroyed when it impacted terrain 12 miles north of the Kit Carson County Airport (ITR), Burlington, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole person on board, sustained fatal injuries. The personal, cross-country flight from Boulder, Colorado, to Chanute, Kansas, was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated at 0615.

The pilot's wife stated that he checked the weather conditions the night before the accident flight and determined that he would takeoff early to preclude flying through scattered rain showers forecasted for Kansas in the afternoon. She said early the morning of the flight, the pilot checked the weather channel again and made telephone calls to Burlington, Colorado, Hutchison, Kansas, and Chanute, Kansas. She said she assumed he was checking the weather conditions at those locations.

A line worker at the Boulder Municipal Airport (1V5) said he put 37 gallons of fuel in the airplane, just before the pilot took off. The fuel receipt from the purchase indicated this took place at 0550.

A computer-generated flight profile found in the airplane wreckage showed the pilot proposed to depart 1V5 at 0615. His route of flight block showed "north, fly around DIA (Denver International Airport) at 7,500 feet, direct to Chanute, Kansas." His cruising altitude block showed 11,500 feet, and his estimated time en route showed 3 hours and 28 minutes.

Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center radar showed the airplane take off from Boulder, Colorado, proceed northeast to Gilcrest, Colorado, and then turn on to an east-southeast heading of approximately 100 degrees. The radar data showed the airplane hold this flight path to the accident site. No altitude information was recorded.

A witness working on power lines near the accident site said he saw the airplane fly overhead at low altitude, barely clearing the set of power lines. He said the engine sounded normal. The witness said he did not see the airplane crash because of the dense fog in the area.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land rating, dated February 12, 1960.

According to his recent logbook, on March 18, 2004, the pilot had approximately 130 total flying hours. The pilot successfully completed a flight review on January 19, 2004. His logbooks showed no record of instrument training.

The pilot held a third class medical certificate, dated September 4, 2003. The certificate showed the following limitations: Not valid for any class after September 30, 2004. Must wear lenses that correct for distant vision, possess glasses for near/intermediate vision. If treatment for prostate cancer required, notify FAA immediately.

The pilot also possessed an FAA letter titled "6-year Authorizatio

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Details

NTSB ReportDEN04FA057
AircraftCessna 182F
RegistrationN3524Y
DamageDEST
FAR Part091
Location39.5500, -102.2117
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