Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On May 10, 2005, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N11065, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted a tree and terrain during the initial climb from Fort Collins Downtown Airport (3V5), Fort Collins, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and pilot rated passenger reported minor injuries. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Colby, Kansas.

According to a telephone interview with the pilot, he had just purchased the airplane and was flying it to Dexter, Missouri. He stated that they had just filled the tanks with fuel and the airplane was loaded "right at gross weight." During the departure, the airplane was "not developing enough power" and would not climb; however, the pilot estimated the engine was developing 2650 to 2700 rpm.

In the accident report submitted by the pilot, he stated that approximately 200 feet agl and 3/4 down the runway, the airplane "stopped climbing and started sinking." The pilot attempted to increase the airspeed by lowering the nose; however, the airplane continued to descend. The pilot reduced power to avoid power lines. The airplane impacted a tree and came to rest on its right side. The right wing separated from the fuselage and the left wing was folded up. The fuselage and empennage were wrinkled. According to the FAA inspector who traveled to the scene, the airplane was overloaded and exceeded the gross take off weight by at least 18 pounds. A postimpact examination of the airplane's systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies.

According to the Fort Collins-Loveland (FNL) METAR (aviation routine weather report), located 8 nautical miles south of 3V5, the temperature was 16 degrees Celsius (C), the dew point was 04 degrees C., and the altimeter setting was 29.80 inches. Calculated density altitude was 6,500 feet. the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation which failed to assure adequate takeoff performance to clear obstacles. Contributing factors included the miscalculated weight and balance and the high density altitude.