*** FLASH *** G-3 down in ASE
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From the BBC News site :
At least 17 people have died after a charter plane crashed into a hillside near the US ski resort of Aspen, Colorado.
The private Gulfstream jet went down northwest of the town's Sardy Field airport shortly after 7pm local time on Thursday (0200 GMT Friday).
Wreckage was strewn over about 100 yards (metres).
Eighteen people are thought to have been on board, but emergency officials say they have so far recovered only 17 bodies.
One eyewitness, Madeleine Osberger, said she had been driving on a nearby road on which debris had been scattered by the disaster.
She said she saw the airplane in what appeared to be its final approach before it crashed.
"Maybe two minutes later, I turned the corner and saw flames."
At least 17 people have died after a charter plane crashed into a hillside near the US ski resort of Aspen, Colorado.
The private Gulfstream jet went down northwest of the town's Sardy Field airport shortly after 7pm local time on Thursday (0200 GMT Friday).
Wreckage was strewn over about 100 yards (metres).
Eighteen people are thought to have been on board, but emergency officials say they have so far recovered only 17 bodies.
One eyewitness, Madeleine Osberger, said she had been driving on a nearby road on which debris had been scattered by the disaster.
She said she saw the airplane in what appeared to be its final approach before it crashed.
"Maybe two minutes later, I turned the corner and saw flames."
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Sorry to hear it, that airport can sure leave a flight crew with very few options if things go wrong. I would not be surprised to hear that the little hill off the north end of the runway collected them, as it has done to quite a few others over the years.
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My condolences to the families.
Don't know which towns are near Eagle Aiport (EGE) Colorado, but our company has sim training once a year just for that one airport, in addition to the regular annual training. Eagle is the most hazardous airport which I have ever seen, including the climb-out. The FO, among other things, monitors the FMC LNAV cross-track deviaton. I guess a bit similar to a very short Tornado, F-111 or A-6 mission. A Lear was lost years ago attempting a circling approach at NIGHT over EGE!
Only our 757s operate there, and use an (autopilot-coupled FMC) LOC/LDA-DME approach from what I remember. Some 757 Captains bid schedules partly to avoid that one airport. Lots of tiny printed procedures must be followed exactly before approaching or departing. Not including the normal checklists
Don't know which towns are near Eagle Aiport (EGE) Colorado, but our company has sim training once a year just for that one airport, in addition to the regular annual training. Eagle is the most hazardous airport which I have ever seen, including the climb-out. The FO, among other things, monitors the FMC LNAV cross-track deviaton. I guess a bit similar to a very short Tornado, F-111 or A-6 mission. A Lear was lost years ago attempting a circling approach at NIGHT over EGE!
Only our 757s operate there, and use an (autopilot-coupled FMC) LOC/LDA-DME approach from what I remember. Some 757 Captains bid schedules partly to avoid that one airport. Lots of tiny printed procedures must be followed exactly before approaching or departing. Not including the normal checklists
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Truely one of the most demanding approaches I have ever flown. The Air Wisconsin BAe-146 pilots go in and out of there 5 times a day, and are well trained for it. I can't imagine going there without special training. My heart goes out to the families.
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Media reports are suggesting that - "the plane is believed to have been owned by Hollywood producer Andrew Vajna who worked on the Rambo films, Die Hard With A Vengeance and Total Recall."
Will therefore probably get higher profile coverage than the Air Caraibe accident, because of the suggestion that there may be someone famous on board. That's the media for you!
Will therefore probably get higher profile coverage than the Air Caraibe accident, because of the suggestion that there may be someone famous on board. That's the media for you!
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TV pictures of the crash site did not look good, burning wreckage etc. Heavy snow which presumably was one of the causal factors.
Apparently all on board were 'from Hollywood' so its possible there may have been some well known people among the pax. As yet no bodies have been identified.
Apparently all on board were 'from Hollywood' so its possible there may have been some well known people among the pax. As yet no bodies have been identified.
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My condolances to the families and friends of all on board, Aspen is by no means an easy airport to get into, nor out of for that matter. I have flown a CL604 in and out of ASE only a couple of times for real, but many times in the sim. Beaver Driver, you are correct that Air Wisconsin flies in and out of ASE quite often, I managed to obtain their procedure, a very safe entry-exit maneouver, possibly should be briefed to the rest of the 'community'.
Definitely Latte time!!
Definitely Latte time!!
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CNN now reports the a/c had reported the airfield in sight momoents before the crash. It appears the aircraft impacted slightley to the right of the centreline on a hillside.
Operating in and out of aspen is highley demanding on the two crew operation, training and a proper company brief for the airfield and aircraft type are essential.
Give me a call latte Tester!!!
LOVE AND KISSES THROBER 69
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At 7:01 PM MST a Gulfstream G3 aircraft (N30GA) crashed approximately 500 yards from the end of the runway at the Aspen-Pitkin Co/Sardy Field Airport (ASE). The aircraft was flying under an IFR flight plan, traveling from Los Angeles, CA to Aspen CO.
The aircraft was under the control of Aspen Approach Control at the time of the accident and was on a VOR/DME approach to runway 15. The aircraft reported the airport in sight. Weather was IFR at the time with light snow. There were 18 souls on board, all fatal.
-30-
The aircraft was under the control of Aspen Approach Control at the time of the accident and was on a VOR/DME approach to runway 15. The aircraft reported the airport in sight. Weather was IFR at the time with light snow. There were 18 souls on board, all fatal.
-30-
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For those, like me, not familiar with ASE, have a look at the chart for the 15 VOR approach.
http://edj.net/cgi-bin/echoplate.pl?.../ASE_vd_gC.GIF
Lots of high ground everywhere. Not a place to be in poor weather.
Another sad day.
http://edj.net/cgi-bin/echoplate.pl?.../ASE_vd_gC.GIF
Lots of high ground everywhere. Not a place to be in poor weather.
Another sad day.
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I fly into ASE a lot. It is one of the most demanding airports in the world, at least one of the top three or four. Shooting the VOR approach at night is like a night carrier landing, without the ejection seat. It is a true black hole approach.
Pay real close attention to the descent rates required on the approach. IFR at night in icing it can get very interesting.
The reason I am in Aspen is because we lost the left engine on takeoff just before V-1 monday night. Therefore the engine is being changed at this time.
I have not been out to the airport yet, but will have to be out there this afternoon for the engine runs. I'll report back later tonight.
Very sad.
Pay real close attention to the descent rates required on the approach. IFR at night in icing it can get very interesting.
The reason I am in Aspen is because we lost the left engine on takeoff just before V-1 monday night. Therefore the engine is being changed at this time.
I have not been out to the airport yet, but will have to be out there this afternoon for the engine runs. I'll report back later tonight.
Very sad.
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Ok, just got back from the airport and the boss's house. I didn't get a close look of the crash site, didn't want to if you really want to know the truth. However driving up the mountain to where the boss lives I got a really good overall view of the crash.
My boss heard the crash. He lives on a mountain about two miles east and a 1000ft above the airport. He was outside and heard a jet go to full power for about 2-3 seconds and then heard the impact that shook the windows of his house.
This could be CFIT, but the airplane ended up to right side of the runway centerline. That's where the bluffs are, that doesn't make much sense. If they had too high of a sink rate the airplane would have been short of the runway on the centerline, not to the right. If they lost sight of the runway that close in and tried to go-around they would have altered course to the left away from the bluffs.
The pilots were very familiar to the Aspen area. They knew where the bluffs where.
So it may not be a case of CFIT after all. Hopefully the CVR will tell what happened.
My boss heard the crash. He lives on a mountain about two miles east and a 1000ft above the airport. He was outside and heard a jet go to full power for about 2-3 seconds and then heard the impact that shook the windows of his house.
This could be CFIT, but the airplane ended up to right side of the runway centerline. That's where the bluffs are, that doesn't make much sense. If they had too high of a sink rate the airplane would have been short of the runway on the centerline, not to the right. If they lost sight of the runway that close in and tried to go-around they would have altered course to the left away from the bluffs.
The pilots were very familiar to the Aspen area. They knew where the bluffs where.
So it may not be a case of CFIT after all. Hopefully the CVR will tell what happened.
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con
I wonder what the winds were when it happened. I have often thought that, with the right winds, the VOR approach, with it's late turn to centerline, was a set up for a CFIT. That's why I liked the Air Wisconsin GPS approach a WHOLE lot better.
BD
I wonder what the winds were when it happened. I have often thought that, with the right winds, the VOR approach, with it's late turn to centerline, was a set up for a CFIT. That's why I liked the Air Wisconsin GPS approach a WHOLE lot better.
BD