18 fatal · Grumman Gulfstream III · 2001-03-30 · Aspen, CO, USA
Event
NTSB number
DCA01MA034
Event ID
20010412X00738
Type
Accident
Date
2001-03-30
Location
Aspen, CO, USA
Coordinates
39.190937, -106.820449
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
18
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
18
Aircraft
Make
Grumman
Model
Gulfstream III
Registration
N303GA
FAR Part
135
Engines
2
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
NITE
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
the flight crew's operation of the airplane below the minimum descent altitude without an appropriate visual reference for the runway. Contributing to the cause of the accident were the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) unclear wording of the March 27, 2001, Notice to Airmen regarding the nighttime restriction for the VOR/DME-C approach to the airport and the FAA's failure to communicate this restriction to the Aspen tower; the inability of the flight crew to adequately see the mountainous terrain because of the darkness and the weather conditions; and the pressure on the captain to land from the charter customer and because of the airplane's delayed departure and the airport's nighttime landing restriction.