History of Flight
On January 14, 2016, about 1745 mountain standard time, a Beech C-35 single-engine airplane, registration N2025D, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Meeker, Colorado. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Provo Municipal Airport, Provo, Utah, about 1620, with an intended destination of Granby-Grand County Airport, Granby, Colorado.
Radar data indicated that after departure, the airplane circled and climbed to about 12,000 ft mean sea level (msl) near Provo before turning east toward mountainous terrain. It continued climbing, reaching about 14,500 ft by 1641. The airplane maintained between about 14,000 ft and 14,500 ft until about 1653, when it descended to just below 13,000 ft. The pilot contacted air traffic control at 1704 and was issued the current altimeter setting. The airplane began climbing again, exceeding 18,000 ft by about 1736. The controller confirmed the altitude, advised that an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance was required above 18,000 ft, and asked if the pilot wanted to file IFR. The pilot responded affirmatively and indicated he was IFR-equipped. The controller cleared the flight direct to Granby and issued a block altitude between 17,000 ft and 19,000 ft.
Shortly after receiving the block altitude, the airplane stopped climbing at about 18,400 ft. The controller asked if the pilot could maintain 19,000 ft; the pilot responded that he was in the clouds and then "we're getting there." The controller instructed the pilot to maintain 19,000 ft. Radar data then showed the airplane abruptly descending to about 17,400 ft, turning north, and climbing back to about 18,500 ft. The controller observed the turn and asked if the pilot was okay; the pilot responded "a little bit." The airplane then turned west, descending more rapidly in a right spiral. The controller advised the pilot of the turn and descent and asked if he was in control; the pilot responded "uh yes."
The controller cleared the pilot not to descend below 11,000 ft and to maintain 11,000 ft, stating "that's lowest I can get you." The pilot responded unintelligibly. The controller asked if he was proceeding to Granby or heading west; there was no response. After further attempts, the pilot responded "I hear you fine (unintelligible)." At about 1744, the controller advised that Meeker airport was at his 3 o'clock and 17 miles; an unintelligible response followed. No further transmissions were recorded.
The last radar target correlated with the accident aircraft was at 1743:33 at about 14,100 ft. OpsVue track data showed the airplane continuing to descend until 1744:13 at about 10,300 ft before track data terminated.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 62, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land and did not have an instrument rating. No logbooks were available. On his most recent FAA third-class medical certificate application dated November 6, 2015, he reported about 600 total flight hours, with 20 hours in the previous six months. The certificate required glasses for near vision.
Aircraft Information
Preaccident photographs showed the airplane was equipped with a homebuilt oxygen system consisting of two oxygen tanks, two vinyl oxygen masks, and vinyl supply tubing. The tanks were attached to the fuselage wall behind the bulkhead on the left side. The valves could not be accessed from the cockpit. The airplane model has a service ceiling of 18,500 ft MSL.
Meteorological Information
The pilot checked weather with Lockheed Martin Flight Service before departure, but the data could not be retrieved. AIRMETs were active for IFR conditions, mountain obscuration, and moderate icing. The Area Forecast predicted overcast ceiling at 10,000 ft with layered clouds to 25,000 ft, visibility 3 miles in mist and light snow. Meeker Coulter Field Airport observations at 1653 included calm wind, 9 miles visibility, light snow, overcast at 3,900 ft agl. A NAM model sounding indicated a moist environment from 9,000 to 15,000 ft conducive to cloud formation, with icing between 9,000 and 14,000 ft.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane was located in tree- and sagebrush-covered mountainous terrain about 19.5 miles west of Meeker. Terrain elevation varied from 6,200 to 6,400 ft msl. The main wreckage included the fuselage, left wing, engine, and propeller hub. Wreckage was scattered over an area about 0.3 mile north-south by 0.4 mile east-west, consistent with an in-flight breakup. Control continuity was established from the control yokes through the fuselage to the aft side of the center section rear spar. The right stabilizer and ruddervator were found about 890 ft northwest. The left stabilizer and ruddervator were found further away. The engine case was fractured; crankshaft was bent. Both propeller blades separated. The oxygen bottles were found with closed valves; one had 600 psi, the other 1,200 psi.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. A focal area of 50% stenosis was found in the mid-left anterior descending coronary artery, but no natural disease was identified otherwise. Toxicology testing detected diazepam, nordiazepam, hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine, norcyclobenzaprine, and zolpidem in liver and kidney. No blood or urine specimens were available. These medications are potentially impairing and carry performance warnings.