What happened
A chartered aircraft was transporting players and supporters from Wichita to Logan, with a scheduled stop at Denver-Stapleton Airport. Following the departure from Denver, the flight crew deviated from the intended path and followed an incorrect course. While flying at an altitude of 10,800 feet, the plane collided with trees on the slope of Mt Trelease, which stands at 12,447 feet, approximately 10.6 miles west of Silver Plume.
The impact and subsequent post-crash fire resulted in the total destruction of the plane. The accident caused 32 fatalities, including both crew members and passengers, while 8 other occupants sustained serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the crew was operating the aircraft through a mountain valley at an altitude that prevented them from either clearing the upcoming terrain or performing a safe turn. Several contributing factors were noted, including the overloaded state of the aircraft and a lack of adequate flight planning for the route between Denver and Logan. Additionally, the crew demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding the performance limits of the plane, compounded by insufficient operational oversight to monitor the flightcrew's actions.