Narrative:A Gates Learjet 24A was on a positioning flight from Denver (DEN) to Eagle (EGE) to enplane a patient for a medical evacuation flight.
The pilot of N31SK reported passing the STUPE intersection, and was cleared by ATC for landing at Eagle. Shortly before the accident, the pilot reported "eight to ten miles out, and its clear to Eagle." The pilot had presumably elected to fly the circle-to-land LDA-A runway 07 approach to Eagle. The pilot descended well below the altitudes specified for this approach, but may have done so because he could see the airport. Post-crash investigation showed the pilot would have had the airport in sight for all but the last one to three seconds of flight, when the uninhabited, unlit mountain ridge obstructed his view. Only a very small adjustment to the aircrafts controls would have been required to gain the additional 22 feet of altitude necessary to clear the ridge. However, lacking visual reference, the pilot was unable to see the terrain until it was too late. The aircraft impacted an 8022 feet mountain ridge at the 8000 feet level, approximately 4 NM northwest of Eagle airport on a heading of 195° magnetic. N31SK was in approach configuration at impact.
The crew could have been misled by the Jeppesen approach charts which did not accurately depict terrain obstructions within the 5-mile radius of the airport.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
planned approach..improper..pilot in command
proper altitude..not maintained..pilot in command
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
terrain condition..mountainous/hilly
preflight planning/preparation..inadequate..pilot in command
lack of familiarity with geographic area..pilot in command
light condition..dark night
approach charts..inaccurate
minimum descent altitude..disregarded..pilot in command
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 2 years and 3 months | Accident number: | FTW87NA086 | Download report: | Summary report
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Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» NTSB
Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 2 Safety Recommendations
Issued: 15-MAY-1987 | To: Jeppesen Sanderson | A-87-61 |
TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REVISE THE EAGLE COUNTY AIRPORT, EAGLE, COLORADO, LDA-A INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE TO INCLUDE THE HIGHEST TERRAIN OBSTRUCTION (8,687 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL) WITHIN A 5-STATUTE MILE RADIUS OF THE AIRPORT. (Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action) |
Issued: 15-MAY-1987 | To: Jeppesen Sanderson | A-87-62 |
CONDUCT A REVIEW OF ALL INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURES PUBLISHED BY JEPPESEN SANDERSON, INC., TO ENSURE THAT THE HIGHEST OBSTRUCTION LOCATED WITHIN 5 STATUTE MILES OF THE AIRPORT IS DEPICTED WITHIN THE REFERENCE CIRCLE. (Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action) |
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Photos
Descent profile
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 Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO to Vail-Eagle County Airport, CO as the crow flies is 174 km (109 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.