Narrative:
The aircraft took off from Steamboat Springs at 18:55 but was forced to return after encountering severe icing conditions. The Twin Otter struck a mountain at 10530 feet.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Severe icing and strong downdrafts associated with a mountain wave which combined to exceed the aircraft's capability to maintain flight. Contributing to the accident was the captain's decision to fly into probable icing conditions that exceeded the conditions authorised by company directive."
» NTSB-AAR-79-6
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 4 December 1978 |
| Time: | 19:45 MST |
| Type: |  de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 |
| Operator: | Rocky Mountain Airways |
| Registration: | N25RM |
| MSN: | 387 |
| First flight: | 1973 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 15145 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 20 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 22 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 15 km (9.4 mls) ENE of Steamboat Springs, CO ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Steamboat Springs Airport, CO (SBS/KSBS), United States of America |
| Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 217 |
The aircraft took off from Steamboat Springs at 18:55 but was forced to return after encountering severe icing conditions. The Twin Otter struck a mountain at 10530 feet.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Severe icing and strong downdrafts associated with a mountain wave which combined to exceed the aircraft's capability to maintain flight. Contributing to the accident was the captain's decision to fly into probable icing conditions that exceeded the conditions authorised by company directive."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
» NTSB Safety Recommendations A-79-70» NTSB-AAR-79-6
Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 4 Safety Recommendations
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Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Steamboat Springs Airport, CO to Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO as the crow flies is 186 km (116 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Steamboat Springs Airport, CO to Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO as the crow flies is 186 km (116 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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