BEECH 35/33 near Telluride, CO — 2014-02-16

Probable cause

The airplane’s failure to obtain a positive climb rate, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning.

NTSB narrative

The airplane departed the airport (which is at an elevation of 9,070 ft mean sea level [msl]) for a day cross-country flight in instrument meteorological conditions. The airplane wreckage was found 1/2 mile from the end of the departure runway in steep mountainous terrain 300 ft below a cliff band at an elevation of about 8,760 ft msl, which indicates that the airplane had not obtained a positive climb rate. The airplane impacted terrain in a wings-level attitude and was damaged by impact and a postimpact fire. An examination of the airplane, engine, and related systems revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. At the high end of the airplane's estimated weight, it would have just met the airport's required climb performance to clear the terrain beyond the end of the runway. Other factors that may have been present at the time of the accident, including the weather, mountainous terrain, and snow or ice accumulation before takeoff, could have adversely affected the airplane's climb performance; however, it could not be determined to what extent these factors played a role. It is likely that the airplane did not establish a positive climb rate after takeoff and, based on the wreckage orientation, that the pilot flew the airplane directly into the terrain. It could not be determined what preflight planning the pilot conducted for the flight, including whether or not she received a weather briefing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Controlled flight into terrain

First missed decision gate

Pilots did not obtain a weather briefing before departure.

NTSB coding

• Collision during takeoff/land · Takeoff
• Planning / Preparation

Evidence available

• CVR
• ADS-B / radar
• Photos
• 24 docket documents

Docket documents24

• Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center Transcriptsatc
• Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15form
• Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigationinterview
• Witness Statementsinterview
• Airplane Flight Manual Supplement for STC SA09603SCother
• Beech 33-35 Climb Graph with Plotsother
• DTC DUAT – N400DJother
• FAA Climb and Descent Tableother
• N400DJ – Weight and Balanceother
• Record of Telephone Conversation – Hartmanother
• Throttle Control Lever Examinationother
• Photograph 1 – Main wreckage (provided by Beegles)photos
• Photograph 2 – Propellerphotos
• Photograph 3 – Main wreckage – Front view (provided by Beegles)photos
• Photograph 4 – Main wreckage – Fuselage, cabin, and firewallphotos
• Photograph 5 – Main wreckage – Right wingphotos
• Photograph 6 – Main wreckage – Left wingphotos
• Photograph 7 – Empennagephotos
• Photograph 8 – Tree Strikephotos
• Radar Data Plot and Wreckage Location Mapradar
• FAA Toxicological Report – Eric Durbinreport
• FAA Toxicological Report – Sherman Andersonreport
• FAA Toxicological Report – Sherry Andersonreport
• FSS Package – N400DJ – Section 10 – Transcription of Voice Recordingtranscript

Related mishaps

• RYAN NAVION

  2026-06-23 · Bismarck, MO

• CESSNA 150L

  2026-03-01 · Okeechobee, FL

• CESSNA 172L

  2026-02-28 · Bennettsville, SC

• BEECH C90

  2026-02-14 · Guymon, OK

• Kitfox Series 7

  2026-01-19 · Lemmon Valley-Golden Valley, NV

• DE HAVILLAND DH82

  2025-09-27 · Harvard, IL