Grand Junction - Denver

On February 13, 1992 at 08:55 PM, Grand Junction - Denver experienced a crash involving Swearingen SA26T Merlin II, operated by Western Aviators, with the event recorded near Glenwood Springs Colorado.

The flight was categorized as ambulance and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.

5 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 5 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 4, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The pilot of the air ambulance feathered the right propeller after reporting 'a bit of a problem' with the right engine. He attempted to divert to the nearest suitable airport, but after receiving its latest weather report, elected to return to base. The airplane made a left turn, reentered IMC, and impacted a mountainside on a magnetic heading of 092°. The heading to the airport of intended landing was 272°. The accident occurred during a snowstorm at night. All five occupants survived and were rescued the following afternoon. Thick grease on the right engine fuel control camshaft prevented a spring from returning the 3d cam to a lower altitude position. The cam was found struck on the shaft at a position equating to an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet. The fuel flow schedule for flight idle was below specifications. In addition, shroud material was found delaminated from the left engine second stage compressor housing.

Aircraft reference details include registration N26JB, MSN T26-163, year of manufacture 1969.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 39.5466°, -107.3247°.