# NTSB DEN91FA039: Piper PA-24-400, N8510P, Snowmass, CO, February 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1991, 17:00 local (Feb 8, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Snowmass, CO
- Coordinates: 39.329299, -106.980567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3293&lon=-106.9806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18012
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18012/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA039

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE TWO AIRPLINE PILOTS TOLD FRIENDS THEY WERE GOING SIGHTSEEING. WHEN THEY FAILED TO RETURN AS PLANNED, A SEARCH WAS BEGUN.  THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 3 DAYS LATER.  THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLYING UP THE WEST SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN PASS WHEN IT STRUCK A TREE AND IMPACTED DEEP SNOW AT ABOUT THE 11,200 FOOT LEVEL.  AUTOPSIES INDICATED BOTH PILOTS SURVIVED THE IMPACT. ONE OF THE PILOTS ATTEMPTED TO SEEK HELP. HIS BODY WAS FOUND ONE MILE FROM THE WRECKAGE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH FIRST AID OR SURVIVAL GEAR. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8510P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8510P-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 26-90, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-90
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1A 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian Balarzs/Lester Beauchamp, doing business as Hot Seat Aviation
- Registered owner: Brian Balarzs/Lester Beauchamp
- Departed: ASE, ASPEN, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,000 total, 12 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ASE, 8 nm away

## 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 19910207001919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910207001919A), Feb 7, 1991: Piper PA24400, Snowmass, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wing struck a tree in a mountain pass. Pilots died from hypothermia. Pilot medicated with quinine.

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.