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Casualties unknown

2003-03-20: Beech E-90 (N711TZ) — Kremmling, CO

Kremmling, CO, US

On March 20, 2003, a Beech E-90 (registration N711TZ) was involved in an aviation accident near Kremmling, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's improper in-flight planning and his failure to maintain safe clearance from the high terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the high terrain and the dark night. 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

A pilot reported that while maneuvering for a night landing, he could not see terrain until immediately before impact, resulting in a collision with snow-covered mountain ridge terrain.

Accident Overview

A pilot reported an accident that occurred during a nighttime landing approach. The pilot was maneuvering for a left-hand downwind leg to land from east to west. The downwind leg was established at 8,400 feet mean sea level (MSL), which was approximately 1,000 feet above the airport elevation of 7,411 feet. The pilot stated that the conditions were very dark and while the airport was visible, the surrounding terrain was not.

Pilot Report

According to the pilot, he suddenly saw the ground immediately before the airplane impacted the terrain. The airplane came to rest after the impact. The pilot reported no malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

Accident Site and Investigation

The accident site was located on the snow-covered edge of a mountain ridge at an elevation of 8,489 feet. Published terminal procedures for the runway indicated high terrain reaching 8,739 feet, situated south-southeast of the airport. Additionally, the published airport diagram for the airport directs right-hand traffic for the pattern to runway 27.

Controlled flight into terrain

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030325X00384. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.