BEECH C35 near Rollinsville, CO — 2010-08-04

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

Forest service personnel discovered the wreckage of the airplane on the side of a narrow, wooded valley after reports of fire in the area. Ground scars and damage to adjacent trees were consistent with the airplane having struck trees before impacting the ground. One propeller blade was located 250 feet from the main wreckage. Damage to the propeller blade and blade hub was consistent with separation due to the impact with trees and indicative of little to no rotation at impact. Examination of the remaining airplane, engine, and related systems revealed no anomalies. No reason for a possible loss of engine power or the impact with terrain could be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Mechanical failure

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have opted for a more thorough pre-flight inspection after previous repairs.

NTSB coding

• Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) · Unknown

Evidence available

• Photos
• 15 docket documents

Docket documents15

• Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigationinterview
• Miscellaneous - Email from C. Heberanother
• Miscellaneous - Pasco Emailother
• RECORD OF CONVERSATION - Lord - CEN10FA458other
• Record of Conversation - Heberanother
• Photograph 01 - Empennage and Fuselagephotos
• Photograph 02 - Empennagephotos
• Photograph 03 - Fuselagephotos
• Photograph 04 - Main Wreckagephotos
• Photograph 05 - Enginephotos
• Photograph 06 - Propeller Bladesphotos
• Photograph 07 - Propeller Blade Bphotos
• Structures 7 - Appendix 1 - Photosphotos
• Structures 7 - Factual Report of Group Chairmanreport
• Toxicological Reportreport

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