Flight Path and Radar Data
An airplane was on the final leg of a cross-country flight to Telluride, Colorado. Denver Center first detected the airplane on radar approximately 38 miles northwest of Taos, New Mexico, heading toward Pagosa Springs, Colorado, at an altitude of 15,800 feet. Just southeast of Pagosa Springs, the airplane turned toward the southwest. Approximately five minutes later, the airplane resumed a west-northwesterly course toward the Telluride area.
About 25 miles south of Telluride Regional Airport, the airplane turned to the north, having descended to 15,000 feet. One minute later, radar indicated the airplane in a 600-foot-per-minute descent, eventually taking it below 14,000 feet. Approximately 12 miles south of the airport, the airplane turned to the west-northwest. At an altitude of 13,900 feet, it was on a course toward Wilson Peak and the Lizard Head Pass area.
Roughly three miles southeast of Wilson Peak (elevation 14,246 feet), radar showed the airplane entering a 2,000-foot-per-minute descent. The airplane's groundspeed increased from 149 to 260 knots. It leveled off momentarily at 13,400 feet and then entered a 2,000-foot-per-minute climb, with a groundspeed of 191 knots. Approximately 12 seconds later, radar contact was lost. At last contact, the airplane was at 13,500 feet and within one mile of the southeast face of Wilson Peak.
Wreckage and Weather
Rescue teams located the airplane near the summit of Wilson Peak the following day. Wreckage was found on all sides of the mountain. An examination of the wreckage at the scene revealed no pre-impact anomalies. A meteorological study of weather conditions around Wilson Peak at the time of the accident indicated the potential for severe turbulence and rotors.