Ryan NAVION B N5401K

Summary

On 11 July 1997 at about 18:40 local time, a Ryan NAVION B registered N5401K was involved in an accident near Garfield, Colorado, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 July 1997 at 18:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Garfield, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

38.5507, -106.2898

Aircraft

Ryan NAVION B

Registration

N5401K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grand Island → Grand Junction

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97FA262

4 people died.

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, during a turn to reverse direction, which resulted in a stall and collision with a pole and a building. High density altiitude was a related factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the airplane approaching Monarch Pass at low altitude and airspeed. One witness said the wings were 'wobbling.' The airplane banked left, descended, and struck a power pole before colliding with an abandoned mine building. The airplane burned after impact. Family members said the pilot was an experienced mountain pilot, and had made several trips across Monarch Pass, never flying less than 2,000 feet above the highest obstacle. They said two passengers were visiting the United States for the first time; they surmised the pilot was flying at a low altitude to give them a better view of the landscape.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.