The NTSB has determined that wind conditions and an unstabilized approach were key factors in the Jan. 2, 2014 fatal crash of a Bombardier Challenger 601-3R that was making its second attempt at landing after a go-around at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport in Colorado. One pilot was killed and the other pilot and passenger were seriously injured.
The Safety Board concluded that the weather at the time of the accident “was near or in exceedance of the aircraft’s maximum tailwind and crosswind component for landing.” Day VMC prevailed for the Part 91 flight.
The factual report says that the initial part of the approach was as expected for descent angle, flap setting and spoilers. During the final minute of flight, however, the crew advanced and pulled back the power five times between N1 speeds of 30 percent and 75 percent and airspeed varied between 135 knots and 150 knots.
The aircraft stayed nose down during its final descent and initial contact with the runway. It pitched up above the runway for several seconds before a hard runway strike, a gain in altitude “and a final six-g impact onto the runway. The final portion of the approach was not consistent with a stabilized approach,” the report concluded.
Information provided on the crewmembers showed that both the pilot and copilot (who was not Challenger rated) had logged relatively little flying time in the type and had never flown into Aspen. The report also noted that the passenger, who was sitting in the jumpseat, was an experienced Challenger pilot and had been invited to join the trip to “provide any recommendations because of the special conditions at Aspen.”