Beech A23-19 accident near Garfield, Colorado, July 7, 1996
On July 7, 1996 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Beech A23-19, registered N5675S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Garfield, Colorado. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a reported power loss for reasons undetermined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 1996 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Garfield, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A23-19 · all A23-19s on the register
- Registration
- N5675S · no longer on the register · serial MB-112
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot crossed Salida Airport at 8,200 feet and approached Monarch Pass (elevation 11,312 feet) at 10,500 feet. The pilot said the engine 'popped twice' and power dropped 600-700 rpm from a setting of 2,450 rpm. The pilot attempted to land on U.S. Highway 50, but was forced to pull up and bank sharply due to an approaching vehicle. The airplane landed hard and collided with terrain. Postaccident functional testing of the engine resulted in full power being developed. The distance between Salida and Monarch Pass is 17.5 miles. Computed density altitude at Monarch Pass was 15,061 feet msl. According to the Beech Aircraft Company, at best rate of climb airspeed of 70 knots, the airplane would be capable of climbing 270 fpm and 50 fpm at 8,000 feet and 12,000 feet, respectively.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 490 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 410 as pilot in command; 100 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 13, 1996
- Maximum gross weight: 2,520 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PUB Pueblo CO at 6:00 pm
- Destination: HVE Hanksville UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.