# NTSB DEN99LA146: Piper PA-32-260, N991RC, Aspen, CO, August 16, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1999, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Aspen, CO - Coordinates: 39.189495, -106.81948 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1895&lon=-106.8195&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47098 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47098/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA146 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in flight planning. Factors were the high density altitude, the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing, and the sign post that the right wing impacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that he departed runway 33 at Aspen, turned right crosswind, and headed towards the pass. He said that when he got above 11,000 feet msl, 'the airplane really got mushy.' He said that he believed that he wasn't going to make it over the pass (elevation 12,095 feet), so he landed straight ahead. During the landing on brush covered rising mountainous terrain, the right wing impacted a sign post wing and the airplane spun 180 degrees. The density altitude at the accident site was 13,136 feet. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1999, at 0930 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N991RC, was destroyed during a forced landing on Independence Pass, near Aspen, Colorado. The instrument rated private pilot and his two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight which originated from Aspen approximately 45 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that he departed runway 33 at Aspen, turned right crosswind, and headed towards the Pass. He said that when he got above 11,000 feet above mean sea level(MSL), "the airplane really got mushy." He said that he believed he was not going to make it over the Pass (elevation 12,095 feet), so he landed straight ahead. During the landing on brush covered rising mountainous terrain, the right wing impacted a sign post and the airplane spun around 180 degrees. Both the wings, the engine, and the landing gear separated from the fuselage. The density altitude at the accident site was computed to be 13,136 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N991RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N991RC-2017-06-19), registration cancelled 2017-06-19, S/N 32-7400030, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7400030 - Airframe hours: 3725 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robin V. Clearman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1999, 55 hours before - Departed: ASE - Destination: SGR, SUGAR LAND, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 910 total, 756 in this make and model, 862 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ASE, 16 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 19990816040569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990816040569A), Aug 16, 1999: Piper PA32260, Aspen, CO, No damage. (-23) Pilot departed ase airport for sgr in sugarland, TX. Pilot attempted a forced landing on independence pass after experiencing very poor climb… 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.