Accident Overview
On June 23, 2025, about 1021 mountain daylight time, a Murphy Aircraft Manufacturing Limited Moose airplane, registration N250MK, was destroyed when it struck terrain near Montrose, Colorado. The pilot and a pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 ferry flight. The pilot had recently purchased the four-seat airplane, intending to transport it to his home base at Buckingham Field Airport (FL59) in Fort Myers, Florida. A Special Flight Permit, signed by a Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR-T), authorized the flight from Westwinds Airport (D17) in Delta, Colorado, to FL59. On the day of the accident, the airplane departed D17 and flew to Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), where it was fueled with 100LL fuel.
Witness Observations
A witness on the ramp at MTJ observed the airplane depart from runway 31. He noted a nose-up attitude during the takeoff and reported that the airplane seemed not to be climbing and was losing altitude. He could not hear the engine due to environmental noise. Another witness, located in a residential area near the accident site, saw the airplane after departure. It turned north, traveling at an estimated 50 mph at about 150 ft above ground level. The airplane then turned east, continued to lose altitude, and impacted bluffs behind a house. This witness did not hear any abnormal engine noises and did not observe smoke or fire while the airplane was inflight.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was built from a kit in 2008. The kit manufacturer describes the airframe as a "distant cousin" of the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver series. It was powered by a Vedeneyev M14P radial engine rated at 360 horsepower, driving a three-blade controllable pitch wood MT Propeller MTV-9-K-C/CL260-29. The airplane was equipped with Montana Float Company 3500 Series amphibious floats. The estimated density altitude at MTJ near the time of the accident was about 7,250 ft.
Pilot and Passenger Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and sea. The passenger held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multi-engine land, as well as commercial pilot privileges for airplane single engine sea. The passenger, who was actively employed as a commercial airline pilot, also held type ratings for the Boeing 757, 767, and Douglas DC-8 series, in addition to a flight instructor certificate and an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate.
Aftermath
The left wing of the airplane struck an elevated dirt driveway, and the airplane came to rest behind a home. A postimpact fire ensued, destroying the airplane. The wreckage was recovered and transported to a secure location for examination. A GoPro HERO13 camera and a Garmin D2 Mach 1 Pro watch were found in the wreckage and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for analysis.