Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On April 22, 1994, approximately 1400 mountain daylight time, a Laurel Aero Club Cassutt III M, N8871, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Strasburg, Colorado. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot/operator report, the engine lost power when the airplane was at an altitude of 10,000 feet MSL (mean sea level) and 10 to 12 miles north of Strasburg. The pilot's attempts to restore power were unsuccessful. He attempted to make a forced landing on a farm airstrip, but his altitude and airspeed were excessive and he overshot. The pilot landed in an adjacent soft field and the airplane nosed over. The pilot later reported the accessory drive gear had sheared. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. FACTORS WERE: A POWER FAILURE DUE TO A SHEARED ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR, EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE, AND A SOFT FIELD.