# NTSB DEN91FA043: Learjet 35A, N535PC, Aspen, CO, February 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1991, 17:41 local (Feb 14, 1991, 00:41 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.190261, -106.820175 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1903&lon=-106.8202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA043

## Probable cause

The flight crew's failure to maintain airspeed and control of the airplane while maneuvering to land. Contributing factors were the flight crew's execution of an unstabilized approach  and the surrounding snow-covered mountainous terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, circling (ifr)
  - , flightcrew (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, flightcrew (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, flightcrew
- In flight collision with terrain/water, circling (ifr)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The flight crew reported to the tower controller that they were over the airport and requested a right downwind circling approach to runway 15. The tower controller and other witnesses observed the airplane in a steep right bank on base leg. The airplane overshot the extended runway centerline. The tower controller observed the airplane entering a steeper right bank to correct back to the runway centerline. The controller stated that he observed the airplane "flutter" and then crash right-wing first, about one mile north of the runway threshold. Other witnesses reported a variety of indications consistent with a loss of control. The last recorded transmission was "Oh no you're (stall…)." The ( ) indicates that the word was questionable text. Both engines were producing about 1,700 pounds of thrust (2,561 pounds available). A snow squall had just passed over the airport and was obscuring mountains to the east. The terrain was snow covered. The accident occurred about eight minutes before official sunset. The approach procedure is not authorized at night or for category D airplanes. Minimums for the approach were three miles visibility with an MDA of 10,840 feet. Airport elevation is 7,815 feet. Both pilots were rated in the airplane. It could not be determined which pilot was at the controls at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N535PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N535PC-1991-07-10), registration cancelled 1991-07-10, S/N 291 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEARJET 35A
- Registry model: [Gates Learjet 35A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gates-learjet-35a) (registry code 5170602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35A-291
- Engines: GARRETT TFE 731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Richmor Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 31, 1990
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ASE, Sardy Field, runway 15, 7,003 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,530 total, 3,700 in this make and model, 8,330 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 1 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 19910213002299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910213002299A), Feb 13, 1991: Lear 35A, Aspen, CO, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Steep bank to line up with runway produced an accelerated stall and crash. Lear 35A stalls 52 degree bank 123 knots

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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