# NTSB DEN85LA098: Cessna 402C, N2711X, Aspen, CO, March 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1985, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.190879, -106.820762 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1909&lon=-106.8208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16651
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16651/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA098

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
  - altitude - excessive, pilot in command
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS BY THE ASPEN TWR CONTROLLER TO LAND ON RWY 15. HE WAS REQUESTED TO MAKE A SHORT FINAL TO THE RWY BECAUSE OF APPROACHING TRAFFIC. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LANDED SLIGHTLY LEFT OF THE RWY CTR LINE. THE ACFT SKIDDED TO LEFT AND THE LEFT WIND TIP CAUGHT A SNOWBANK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE ACFT CAME TO REST OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY 15 AFTER THE LANDING GEAR SEPERATED. THE WIND WAS RPTED TO BE FROM 360 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2711X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402C-0116
- Airframe hours: 1987
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Neal Nagel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1985, 55 hours before
- Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ASE, Aspen, runway 15, 7,003 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 837 total, 125 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 12 °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 19850330010119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850330010119A), Mar 30, 1985: Cessna 402C, Aspen, CO, Substantial damage. Wingtip contacted snow on runway side and left main strut broke. No evidence of trim or avionics malfunctions.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.