History of Flight
On July 3, 2021, at about 1838 mountain daylight time, a Beech G36 airplane, registration N36JJ, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Aspen, Colorado. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane had landed at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) at about 1353 for fuel and lunch. The pilot later requested an instrument flight rules clearance to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) but declined the assigned altitude of 16,000 ft, opting instead to depart under visual flight rules. The controller inquired about the route, and the pilot responded that the decision would be made after departure. After departing ASE at about 1823, the airplane orbited near the airport to climb. The pilot advised a right turn and later informed the controller of a south-southeast departure, then an easterly heading. The airplane proceeded east, approaching a ridgeline before reaching Independence Pass.
A performance study revealed that after takeoff, the airplane climbed to over 10,000 ft with a groundspeed of 110–120 knots and a climb rate of 340–360 ft per minute, below the manual's specified 375 ft per minute. As it flew east, the climb rate decreased while terrain elevation rose. At about 1836, the airplane was at 10,820 ft (about 600 ft above ground level) with a climb rate of 150–250 ft per minute. About 1838, at an altitude of 11,300 ft, it entered a semicircular bowl area with mountain tops near 13,000 ft, turned left, and subsequently impacted terrain. A postimpact fire ensued. The wreckage was located 1,000 ft beyond the last ADS-B data point, which showed the airplane at 11,245 ft and 285 ft above terrain. Estimated bank angle at the last turn was between 28° and 39°, and true airspeed was above the published stall speed for a 39° bank angle.
Personnel Information
The pilot held an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, with his single-engine rating limited to commercial pilot privileges. He had type ratings for several multiengine airplanes. His logbook was not located after the accident. On his most recent medical application (June 7, 2021), he reported 150 flight hours in the preceding 6 months. The investigation could not determine his flight experience in single-engine piston airplanes or his experience flying through the Rocky Mountains.
The pilot-rated passenger held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He owned the airplane, purchased on April 27, 2021. His logbook was not found, and he reported no flight experience on his last medical application (October 21, 2019). His spouse stated he was to operate mainly as a passenger; cellphone messages indicated he had forgotten his headset.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted the edge of a wooded area near rising terrain at an elevation of 11,050 ft. The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage and right wing. Scattered debris was located on a 345° magnetic heading. The postimpact fire consumed most of the fuselage, empennage, and a portion of the right wing. The left wing was impact-separated and located in the debris path. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. No supplemental oxygen was found in the wreckage.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies conducted by a forensic pathologist for Jefferson County, Colorado, determined the cause of death for both occupants as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing by the Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected no tested substances for the pilot or passenger.