Learjet 45 crashes in Telluride

[AviateYou]

SAN MIGUEL COUNTY - The San Miguel Sheriff's Office says a plane was totaled Saturday after the pilot missed the runway while trying to land at the Telluride Regional Airport.

It happened 5 p.m. Saturday. Two Pilots were on board the Lear 45 jet.

They received minor injuries.

9News Meteorologist Nick Carter says snow was falling in that area at the time of the crash.

Track the plane’s flight at: http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N279AJ

 

[PiratePilot]

The tail number mentioned above, Aero Jet Services Scottsdale, AZ:

http://www.aerojetservices.com/Lear45.htm

 

[Hung Start]

I smell trouble-a-brewin'

It was IFR, Cat C and D aircraft N/A

Hung

 

[fu69atacafyeah]

I smell trouble-a-brewin'

It was IFR, Cat C and D aircraft N/A

Hung

looks like they held for a little bit looking at the flightaware page....that sucks

 

[Bobkat0001]

I was in Telluride all last week. I departed yesterday and saw the Lear about 20 yards south of the runway about half way down. It was completely destroyed (upside down, one wing off, tail off). I dont know how they were not hurt. They are lucky there was so much snow or they would of ended up in the bottom of the valley. Lucky lucky in my book, but glad they are ok.

 

[Sandhawk]

Has anybody been able to find any pics online?



Glad everyone was okay............

 

[BEfly]

damn......... lucky is right.

 

[100-1/2]

So what would the approach briefing sound like on the CVR?


NPF..."This is the TEX LOC/DME RWY9 current thru Jan 15, 2009. LOC tuned, id, selected #1 Nav with 090 Inbound course set. ETL tuned, id, selected #2Nav with 108 outbound radial set. Available RWY for landing 6870, landing distance computed for fresh snow on packed ice. No BA reports available. Notes reviewed. will not go at night and make all circling maneuvers to south. Missed Approach is climb and right turn to 13k via ETL104R and hold ETL As Pub. Radios Set CTAF in STBY. Profile is ETL108R to intercept I-TEX@12 then Left inbound 090 on I-TEX to DH. Tops 12k crossing ETL until ITEX intercept and 12DME, then 11.5 til ITEX6.5 then straight-in RWY9 DH for CatCshhhhhhmmmmmhmmmmhmmmmmmmmm~mmmmmiiiinnnnnviiiiizzzz
tttwwwwwoooooooommmmmmmmmmnnautmmmiiiilss
hmmmmmmmmmhmmmmmmITEX1.0 Normal maneuvers for landing or we miss. Airport Elevation 9100, Radar Alt set 2k agl. This completes the approach briefing for the LOC/DME RWY 9 for Telluride CO. Do you have any questions captain? Would you like to brief the approach? Yes, your airplane, your trims, we are established on the outbound leg of the hold over ETL as pub'd with 20 seconds remaining before the inbound turn to the ETL095R tuned, id'd and set on #2 Nav. Roger Captain, I have the airplane."

Captain Brief.."TEX, Jan 15, Coms, Navs, headings Markers set, verified profile is 108 out left to 090 inbound ITEX [email protected] then 11.5 til 6.5 then 11.1 DH til MAP @ 1.0 for CatCsshhhhhmmmmmmstraightmmmhmmm rwy9hmmmmmmtwoooomilzzvizzz, this completes the Captains Brief of Telluride CO LOC/DME 9, my airplane, my trims, roger captain has the aircraft.

BTW wasn't it illegal to commit to the hold? The 1 minute leg limit is based upon the Cat of A/C just as the visibility and ceiling limits?

Glad these mistakes didn't cost their lives. Haven't pulled the weather archives, but would imagine they should not have legally departed [even part 91] for an airport where even VFR minimums would not have permitted the operation for the Category of aircraft? I cannot see their tickets or the operator's certificates, if issued, coming out of this unscathed. Operator shares some fault in dispatching the flight and ATC should have never authorized the Hold much less the approach if that is how it turns out.

In any case, the flight tracks look as if they missed the left hand turn for the Loc or the GPS. Their Altitudes were too, low for the VOR-A. If there is a defense, it would appear they may have been dealing with a transponder issue. That FL410 return would have breached a high sector and possibly trickled down queries DEN CTR who should not have given them the hold in the first place.

100-1/2

 

[AZ Typed]

Don't speculate. You wouldn't appreciate it if (I know you're immune) this was your accident.

AZ T

 

[ultrarunner]

looks like they held for a little bit looking at the flightaware page....that sucks

A BIT? You bet. SDL to TEX is about a 45 minute flight in that airplane. Looks like they held for an HOUR! Wow!

Well, at least they didn't bust the cerfew.

 

[icefr8dawg]

Anyone remember when the last accident was up there? It seems the Aspen accidents have made us all very aware going in there but not much going on in KTEX in comparison. My boss like to go there every now and then and it's a vfr gig for us.

 

[hawkerflyer]

The crew is OK and back in SDL after having had to drive home from TEX. They've gone through and survived something that none of us should ever have to experience. How about we avoid the speculation and unfair criticism until all of the facts have been established.

 

[slickmagneto]

You KNOW that drive home was the longest drive either has ever had.

 

[AviateYou]

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2009/01/06/news/doc4963a51ede7dd960738634.txt

 

[AZ Typed]

The crew is OK and back in SDL after having had to drive home from TEX. They've gone through and survived something that none of us should ever have to experience. How about we avoid the speculation and unfair criticism until all of the facts have been established.

Well said. These are our brothers folks.

AZ T

 

[100-1/2]

Wasn't intending to speculate.

Just curious how one would brief an approach to the remaining Flight Crew and manage to obscure the most important pieces of information dictating the (un)authorized use of an approach for a given situation and what that would sound like on the CVR.

ATC has the weather and basic approach information for NP and sometimes an overlay on their scope for Precision approches to track the progress of the operations in supplement to requested reports from crew while on segments of the approach. As an ARTCC and the volume of traffic at TEX could contribute to an oversight from ATC monitoring the approach and requirements, particulary if they were focused on a transponder misreporting the altitude.

I would take that drive any day of the week and twice on Sunday given the alternative outcomes. Looking at that wreck, probably spend the time finding/praising Jesus. Again, Glad they are unhurt.

100-1/2

 

[thatpilotguy]

After looking at the picture it's really incredible that the crew was able to walk away with minor injuries. My thoughts are with the crew, I can't imagine how difficult this situation must be for them. Having flown out of SDL and crossing paths with a few guys from Aerojet and even chartering their 45 for a couple of trips I feel a some what personal connection to the crew...I feel deeply for them.

Unlike many other airports in Colorado, Montrose offers a great alternative to Telluride and I wish that more passengers would view it as the best option when going into that area. A couple of new FBO buildings, new large hangars and a brand new Hampton Inn almost on the field it's not only easier, but in my mind the best option for the valley.

 

[Gear Up!]

100 1/2 , Why dont you wait till the facts come out before you type that long boring post... Thanx...

 

[Pelican 10]

hey 100 1/2....stick with the Kenworth and Peterbuilts......they suit you better Mr.know it all.....

 

[Hung Start]

Was there really a pressing need to mention his name here?

You want your name kicked around for every mistake you made in your life?

Hung