March 10, Glenwood Springs, Colo.: Mooney M20C

At 2019 mountain time, a Mooney M20C crashed during a steep descent about 16 miles north-northeast of Glenwood Springs. The pilot was killed. The flight was headed VFR from Kremmling, Colo., to Grand Junction. About a half-hour after takeoff, the airplane made a wide turn to the left of approximately 450 degrees, followed immediately by a tight turn to the right of approximately 360 degrees. Two radar antenna sites were used to track the airplane. The first site lost radar contact at 2019:19, when the target was at 13,500 feet msl and the second site lost radar contact at 2019:33, when the target was at 10,500 feet msl - a descent of 3,000 feet in 14 seconds. Weather conditions did not allow...

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Mooney M20C crashed near Glenwood Springs, Colorado, killing the pilot.
  • Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft made an unusual series of a wide 450-degree left turn followed by a tight 360-degree right turn.
  • Radar contact was lost during an extremely rapid descent of 3,000 feet in 14 seconds.
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At 2019 mountain time, a Mooney M20C crashed during a steep descent about 16 miles north-northeast of Glenwood Springs. The pilot was killed. The flight was headed VFR from Kremmling, Colo., to Grand Junction. About a half-hour after takeoff, the airplane made a wide turn to the left of approximately 450 degrees, followed immediately by a tight turn to the right of approximately 360 degrees. Two radar antenna sites were used to track the airplane. The first site lost radar contact at 2019:19, when the target was at 13,500 feet msl and the second site lost radar contact at 2019:33, when the target was at 10,500 feet msl – a descent of 3,000 feet in 14 seconds. Weather conditions did not allow immediate recovery of the debris.

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