Incident
On an unspecified date, an aircraft identified as N36TS departed from Steamboat Airport carrying the pilot and four passengers returning from a ski vacation. A witness at the airport observed a normal takeoff and subsequently saw the aircraft turn toward an area of high terrain located approximately 1.5 miles from the airport. The witness reported that N36TS continued on a heading toward Copper Ridge at an altitude insufficient to clear the summit. The aircraft then collided with trees and the ground approximately 100 feet below the summit. A post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft.
Aircraft and Performance
Performance charts for the aircraft indicated a rate of climb of 1,060 feet per minute and a distance of approximately 5 miles required to climb from an elevation of 6,879 feet to 8,400 feet. No evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure of the aircraft structure, flight control system, engine, or propeller was found prior to the initial impact.
Investigation
Investigators attempted to locate the pilot's log books for flight time but were unsuccessful. The time of the accident was estimated from medical records. No further details were provided.