Casualties unknown

1988-04-03: Beech A36 (N5WW) — Colorado Spring, CO

Colorado Spring, CO, US

On April 3, 1988, a Beech A36 (registration N5WW) was involved in an aviation accident near Colorado Spring, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Power required was greater than power available for takeoff at near maximum gross weight from the high altitude, high density altitude airport, and the pilot was inexperienced in high altitude airport operations. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

After takeoff, an aircraft failed to climb sufficiently to clear a utility pole, collided with it, and crashed in a residential street. The pilot and three passengers sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Accident Overview

Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude to clear a utility pole located approximately half a mile from the end of the runway. The aircraft struck the pole and subsequently crashed into a residential street. The pilot and three passengers sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was consumed by fire.

Accident Details

The accident occurred following departure from a high-altitude airport. The aircraft, operating at near maximum gross weight, was unable to climb at a rate necessary to clear obstacles in the departure path. The utility pole was situated about half a mile beyond the runway end. After colliding with the pole, the aircraft impacted a residential street, resulting in a post-crash fire that destroyed the airframe. No other information regarding the specific aircraft type, registration, operator, date, or location was provided in the source.

Contributing Factors

According to available information, the accident sequence involved a situation where the power required for the takeoff and initial climb exceeded the power available. This was attributed to operating at near maximum gross weight from an airport characterized by high altitude and high density altitude conditions. Additionally, the pilot lacked experience in high-altitude airport operations, which may have affected the assessment of aircraft performance during takeoff.

Probable Cause

Power required was greater than power available for takeoff at near maximum gross weight from the high altitude, high density altitude airport, and the pilot was inexperienced in high altitude airport operations.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X25446. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.