Narrative:
Continental Express flight 2286 departed Denver-Stapleton Airport at 18:20 for a flight to Durango and Cortez. The aircraft climbed to FL230. AT 19:03 the flight was cleared to descend to FL160 and seven minutes later to FL150. At 19:14 the Denver ARTCC issued a clearance for a VOR/DME approach to Durango runway 20. While on final approach, the aircraft hit the ground and pitched up. Engine power was increased and the plane rolled several times laterally before striking the ground again, sliding to a stop about 5 miles short of the airport.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The first officer's flying and the captain's ineffective monitoring of an unstabilized approach, which resulted in a descent below the published descent profile. Contributing to the accident was the captain's performance resulting from his use of cocaine before the accident."
Landing after unstabilized approach
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
» ICAO Adrep Summary 6/89 (#21)
» NTSB
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 19 January 1988 |
| Time: | 19:20 |
| Type: |  Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III |
| Operator: | Trans-Colorado Airlines |
| On behalf of: | Continental Express |
| Registration: | N68TC |
| MSN: | AC-457 |
| First flight: | 1981 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 11895 |
| Engines: | 2 Garrett TPE331-11U-611G |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 15 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 8 / Occupants: 17 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 8 km (5 mls) NE of Durango-La Plata Airport, CO (DRO) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN), United States of America |
| Durango-La Plata Airport, CO (DRO/KDRO), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 2286 |
Continental Express flight 2286 departed Denver-Stapleton Airport at 18:20 for a flight to Durango and Cortez. The aircraft climbed to FL230. AT 19:03 the flight was cleared to descend to FL160 and seven minutes later to FL150. At 19:14 the Denver ARTCC issued a clearance for a VOR/DME approach to Durango runway 20. While on final approach, the aircraft hit the ground and pitched up. Engine power was increased and the plane rolled several times laterally before striking the ground again, sliding to a stop about 5 miles short of the airport.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The first officer's flying and the captain's ineffective monitoring of an unstabilized approach, which resulted in a descent below the published descent profile. Contributing to the accident was the captain's performance resulting from his use of cocaine before the accident."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Flightcrew member's alcohol, drug usageLanding after unstabilized approach
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
Sources:
» Aviation Week & Space Technology 19.06.89 (103), 3.7.89 (75), 10.7.89 (75), 17.07.89 (103)» ICAO Adrep Summary 6/89 (#21)
» NTSB
Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 3 Safety Recommendations
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Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO to Durango-La Plata Airport, CO as the crow flies is 382 km (239 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO to Durango-La Plata Airport, CO as the crow flies is 382 km (239 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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