Narrative:
A Sabreliner 60, N743R, crashed shortly after takeoff from Montrose Airport, Colorado, USA. The two pilots, the only persons on board, were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.
The aircraft was on a routine flight from Montrose to Denver, Colorado.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft climb straight ahead after takeoff to about 1,000 feet above ground level, where it started first a shallow right turn and then a left turn, which steepened as the nose dropped. The aircraft crashed in a 55° left-bank and 10° nosedown attitude. Examination of the wreckage disclosed that the left engine thrust reverser was in the deployed position.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The continued operation of the left engine at climb power after an unwanted in-flight deployment of the left engine thrust reverser, which resulted in a deterioration of aircraft performance."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 13 April 1973 |
| Time: | 16:35 |
| Type: |  North American Rockwell Sabreliner 60 |
| Operator: | Continental Air Lines |
| Registration: | N743R |
| MSN: | 306-11 |
| First flight: | 1968 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2372 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney JT12A-8 Turbo Wasp |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Montrose County Airport, CO (MTJ) ( United States of America)
|
| Crash site elevation: | 1755 m (5758 feet) amsl |
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Montrose County Airport, CO (MTJ/KMTJ), United States of America |
| Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN), United States of America |
A Sabreliner 60, N743R, crashed shortly after takeoff from Montrose Airport, Colorado, USA. The two pilots, the only persons on board, were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.
The aircraft was on a routine flight from Montrose to Denver, Colorado.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft climb straight ahead after takeoff to about 1,000 feet above ground level, where it started first a shallow right turn and then a left turn, which steepened as the nose dropped. The aircraft crashed in a 55° left-bank and 10° nosedown attitude. Examination of the wreckage disclosed that the left engine thrust reverser was in the deployed position.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The continued operation of the left engine at climb power after an unwanted in-flight deployment of the left engine thrust reverser, which resulted in a deterioration of aircraft performance."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Engine reverse issueLoss of control
Follow-up / safety actions
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 Montrose County Airport, CO to Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO as the crow flies is 294 km (184 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Montrose County Airport, CO to Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO as the crow flies is 294 km (184 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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