Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Antonito, Colorado 81120
Tuesady, August 5, 2003 13:45 MDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

Witnesses observed a high-wing, single-engine airplane flying at a low altitude in the vicinity of the accident site, at approximately 1200. The airplane was traveling north through a canyon. One witness said he could definitely see the airplane was flying lower than the mountains on the far side of the canyon. Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes later, a U. S. Forest Service fire team received a report of bluish-colored smoke "near Elwood cabin." When the fire team arrived at the location, they confirmed that the smoke was from an airplane crash. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could have contributed to the accident. FAA toxicology testing of specimens from the pilot revealed the presence of Amphetamine and Citalophan in kidney and liver tissue. Citalophan is a prescription antidepressant. Amphetamine is a prescription stimulant used in the treatment of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. It has a high potential for abuse and dependence.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, the trees, and the mountainous terrain.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 8/5/2003
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 1345
Event Time Zone Mountain Daylight Time
Event City Antonito
Event State COLORADO
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 81120
Event Date Year 2003
Event Date Month 8
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 372325N
Event Location Longitude 1063704W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness Not pertinent
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1152 Mountain Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 67
Weather Observation Facility ID ALS
Elevation of weather observation facility 7535
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 38
Time Zone of the weather observation MDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 19
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 11
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 360
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 5
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.28
Density Altitude (feet) 9448
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Fatal
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal 1
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 1
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 15103
NTSB Notification Source FAA COMM CTR
NTSB Notification Date Aug 5 2003 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1910
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Mar 30 2004 8:14AM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\MONR
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Denver, Colorado FSDO

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N1344S
NTSB Number DEN03FA137
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Destroyed
Aircraft Fire Ground
Aircraft Explosion Ground
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Cessna
Aircraft Model 182P
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 18264907
Certified Max Gross Weight 2800
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Apr 9 2003 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 2342.2
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Aerphoto.com LLC
Aircraft Owner Street Address 35893 Vivian Place
Aircraft Owner City Fremont
Aircraft Owner State CA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 94536
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name Ciaran Hanrahan
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address --
Operator City Freemont
Operator State CA
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 94536
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code 7V9
Departure City Las Animas
Departure State CO
Departure Country USA
Departure Time --
Departure Time Zone --
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code SQL
Destination City Fremont
Destination State CA
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight Maneuvering
Report sent to ICAO? No
Evacuation occurred No
Date of most recent change to record Feb 13 2004 12:06PM
User who most recently changed record MCBM
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location --
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --