SALIDA, CO, USA
N12370
BEECH C35
THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN IN A CONTROLLED CRASH SITUATION WITH FULL FLAPS AND FULL POWER AT THE 11,312 FT LEVEL THE DENSITY ALT WAS COMPUTED TO BE 12,370 FT MSL. THE PLT WAS AWARE THAT THE WEATHER WAS QUESTIONABLE IN SOME AREAS OF HIS ROUTE AND THE MOUNTAIN TOPS OBSCURED. THE PLT TOLD THE FSS AT GRAND JUNCTION AFTER A WEATHER BRIEFING THAT HE WOULD GO AND FLT CHECK THE WEATHER IN THE AREA AND CALL FSS BACK. AFTER TAKEOFF THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE FLT. THE PLT GAVE SEVERAL ACCOUNTS OF HIS DIFFICULTIES TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE NONE OF WHICH COULD BE VERIFIED. THE PLTSACCOUNT OF A LIGHTING STRIKE AND AIRFRAME FAILURE WERE NOT EVIDENCED BY WRECKAGE EXAMINATION OR BY WITNESSES WHO SAW THEACFT CIRCLING THE VALLEY WEST OF THE TRAIL THEY WERE HORSEBACK RIDING ON. THE PLT SAID HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALT. HE TURNED INTO THE HILLSIDE, LOWERED FLAPS, APPLIED FULL POWER AND SETTLED INTO THE TREES. ALL 4 OCCUPANTS GOT OUT WITH MINOR OR NO INJURIES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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