Undetermined · NTSB CEN21FA305
HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORP G36 — Aspen, CO
| Date | July 4, 2021 |
| Location | Aspen, CO |
| Aircraft | HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORP G36 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Prior to flight Preflight or dispatch event |
| Pilot age | 58 |
| Pilot total time | 12,000 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Flight planning/navigation-Pilot
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Mountainous/hilly terrain-Decision related to condition
What happened
While attempting to navigate over mountainous terrain on a cross-country flight, the pilot flew the airplane into a canyon with high mountains. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data indicated that the pilot likely attempted to fly out of the canyon. The airplane impacted trees and rising terrain and was destroyed by impact forces and a postimpact fire. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no anomalies that would have contributed to the accident.
The pilot initially requested an instrument flight rules flight plan, which included an instrument departure that the airplane was not equipped to fly. The pilot then requested a visual flight rules departure and provided his own navigation. The investigation could not determine, from the available evidence for this accident, if the pilot was familiar with or prepared to fly visually through the mountain pass.