STEAMBOAT SPRIN, CO, USA
N7494J
PIPER PA-28R-180
N7494J TOOK OFF FROM A HIGH ALT ARPT AND CLIMBED IN THE VIC OF THE ARPT TO 9500 FEET BEFORE PROCEEDING ON COURSE. UPON APPROACHING HIGH TERRAIN THE PLT REALIZED HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ALT TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN AND WAS IN A VALLEY TOO NARROW TO TURN AROUND. HE WAS HOLDING THE OVERRIDE TO DEACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC LANDING GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURB AND HIS HAND CAME OFF THE OVERRIDE. THE LANDING GEAR EXTENDED AND THE ACFT LOST AIRSPEED. AT THAT POINT THE PLT DECIDED AN OFF ARPT FORCED LANDING WAS NECESSARY AND SELECTED A MOUNTAIN MEADOW. DURING THE LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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