# NTSB DEN83FA040: Cessna 404, N5301J, Aspen, CO, December 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1982, 07:43 local (14:43 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Location: 39.1952° N, 106.8368° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Aspen, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1952&lon=-106.8368&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA040

## Analysis

THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PAX, WHO IS A PRIVATE PLT, STATED THAT THE PLT DID NOT USE TAKEOFF FLAPS. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF AT ABOUT 85K & IMMEDIATELY STARTED BUFFETING. THE ACFT THEN IMPACTED A HIGHWAY IN A NOSE HIGH, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE & COLLIDED WITH A ROCK FACE MOUNTAIN. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT OPERATING MANUAL THE RATE-OF-CLIMB/MAXIMUM CLIMB CHART INDICATES THAT (WITH WING FLAPS UP AT A DENSITY ALT OF 6,000 FT) THE ACFT REQUIRED A CLIMB SPEED OF 103K. FLAPS UP LIFT OFF SPEED IS 95K.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5301J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 404
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4040643
- Airframe hours: 373
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520M 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Gregory Murnane Murnane Aviati
- Registered owner: Monarch Aviation Inc.
- Departed: ASE, ASPEN, CO
- Destination: C, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ASE, Aspen-Pitkin County, runway 33, 6,001 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10,000 total, 18 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19821227066949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821227066949A), Dec 27, 1982: Cessna 404CESSNA, Aspen, CO, Destroyed. Made premature liftoff in a stall mush condition. Failed to obtain climb speed or lower nose. Hit a mountainside.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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