Cheyenne – Colorado Springs
Flight / Schedule
Cheyenne – Colorado Springs
Aircraft
Beechcraft 60 DukeRegistration
N711PS
MSN
P-4
Year of Manufacture
1968
Operator
Daniel J. HommelDate
April 21, 1995 at 10:16 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Private
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Cheyenne Wyoming
Region
North America • United States of America
Coordinates
41.1400°, -104.8202°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On April 21, 1995 at 10:16 AM, Cheyenne – Colorado Springs experienced a crash involving Beechcraft 60 Duke, operated by Daniel J. Hommel, with the event recorded near Cheyenne Wyoming.
The flight was categorized as private and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
1 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported he had 'a problem...an overboost situation,' and wanted to return for landing. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, so the pilot was cleared for the ILS runway 26 approach. A witness saw the airplane emerge from the low overcast in a wings level descent, then pitch over to a near vertical attitude and impact a shopping center sign. The left turbocharger wastegate was found in the open (low boost) position, and the right turbocharger wastegate was found in the closed (high boost) position. The right turbocharger butterfly valve was severely eroded, the pin was missing, and the valve was free to rotate on the shaft. A hole was burnt through the right engine number 1 cylinder exhaust valve. Both propellers were in the low pitch-high rpm range. Both engines and turbochargers were original equipment and had not been overhauled in 21 years. A toxicology test showed 0.564 mcg/ml of sertraline (antidepressant) in the pilot's blood. Sertraline was not approved for use while flying an aircraft.
Aircraft reference details include registration N711PS, MSN P-4, year of manufacture 1968.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 41.1400°, -104.8202°.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
1
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported he had 'a problem...an overboost situation,' and wanted to return for landing. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, so the pilot was cleared for the ILS runway 26 approach. A witness saw the airplane emerge from the low overcast in a wings level descent, then pitch over to a near vertical attitude and impact a shopping center sign. The left turbocharger wastegate was found in the open (low boost) position, and the right turbocharger wastegate was found in the closed (high boost) position. The right turbocharger butterfly valve was severely eroded, the pin was missing, and the valve was free to rotate on the shaft. A hole was burnt through the right engine number 1 cylinder exhaust valve. Both propellers were in the low pitch-high rpm range. Both engines and turbochargers were original equipment and had not been overhauled in 21 years. A toxicology test showed 0.564 mcg/ml of sertraline (antidepressant) in the pilot's blood. Sertraline was not approved for use while flying an aircraft.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 1
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Cheyenne – Colorado Springs
Operator
Daniel J. HommelFlight Type
Private
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
North America • United States of America
