The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah
Location: Telluride, CO
Accident Number: CEN21LA067
Date & Time: November 26, 2020, 12:59 Local
Registration: N87LW
Aircraft: Vans RV4
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On November 26, 2020, about 1259 mountain standard time, an amateur-built Vans RV4 airplane, N87LW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Telluride, Colorado. The pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.
According to the airport manager for the Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), the pilot told an employee with the fixed base operator (FBO) at the airport that he intended to fly from TEX to Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado, to retrieve a passenger and then return to TEX. According to a fuel purchase receipt, at 1102, the pilot dispensed 23.87 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation fuel using the self-serve fuel pump at TEX. According to the airplane kit manufacturer, the airplane had a total fuel capacity of 32 gallons distributed evenly between two wing fuel tanks. According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1125, the flight departed TEX on runway 27 and flew direct to DRO and landed on runway 3 at 1150.
At 1229, the flight departed DRO on runway 3 and proceeded north back toward TEX. About 1256:45, the flight turned onto a left downwind for runway 27 at TEX. A FBO employee at TEX reported that she was monitoring the airport’s UNICOM frequency when the pilot transmitted that he was on the downwind leg for runway 27. The FBO employee told the pilot to park in the hangar after landing, and the pilot replied “cool.”
Further review of the recorded ADS-B data (Figure 1) indicated that the airplane entered the traffic pattern while descending through 9,900 ft mean sea level (msl) and flew the downwind leg about 1 statute mile (sm) south of the runway 27 centerline. According to airport documentation, the traffic pattern altitude for runway 27 at TEX was 10,484 ft msl (1,414 ft above the runway 27 threshold). The processed ADS-B data also indicated that the airplane had entered the traffic pattern at 100 knots calibrated airspeed (CAS), or about 115 mph CAS, but then decelerated during the downwind and base legs (Chart 1). Additionally, the airplane continued to descend about 250 feet per minute (fpm) during the downwind leg.
About 1258:15, the airplane turned left onto the base leg for runway 27 and continued to descend and decelerate. (Figure 2) About 1259:00, the airplane began a left turn from the base leg toward a ½ sm final approach course to runway 27. The airplane entered an increasingly rapid descent from 9,280 ft msl within a couple seconds into the left turn from the base leg to the final approach course. The airplane’s rate-of-descent increased from 578 fpm to 3,700 fpm during the final 4 seconds of recorded ADS-B data. (Chart 2) The airplane decelerated to about 52 knots CAS (60 mph CAS) during the left turn from the base leg to the final approach course. According to the airplane kit manufacturer, the airplane’s wings-level aerodynamic stall speed at a maximum gross weight of 1,500 lbs was 47 knots (54 mph).
According to the FBO employee who was monitoring the airport’s UNICOM frequency, at exact time unknown, there was a brief transmission where the pilot exclaimed “oh [expletive].” The FBO employee noted that the airplane disappeared from the FBO’s flight tracking system a few minutes after the pilot’s final transmission and that a representative with the United States Air Force Search and Rescue had called the airport inquiring about an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal that had been detected.
An airport security camera captured the final moments of the flight. The airplane is observed to enter a left wing down, nose down, turn and descend into terrain east of the airport. There was no video evidence of a postimpact fire or explosion. There were multiple witnesses who reported seeing the airplane enter a steep left bank turn toward the airport followed by a nose down descent toward
terrain.
The wreckage was recovered to storage facility where a detailed examination will be completed.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Vans
Registration: N87LW
Model/Series: RV4 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: TEX,9070 ft msl
Observation Time: 12:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 1°C /-7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 10 knots / , 270°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Durango, CO (DRO)
Destination: Telluride, CO
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 37.94909,-107.88862
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.
Mana Mohtasham died unexpectedly and tragically on November 26th, 2020 at the age of 37 near Telluride, Colorado.
Mana shone a special kind of light. She was a brave adventurer with an insatiable thirst for life - scaling mountains, conquering peaks, never afraid of a challenge or a new start. She lived fully and exuberantly, always looking forward to another trip and another adventure. Mana was strong - whether starting a life in a new country, or changing careers, she had the tenacity and strength of character to make tough decisions that others would have shied away from, and she pursued her dreams with determination and unflinching passion. She was a beloved and loving daughter and sister. She was also a loving, steady, loyal, supportive friend who pushed us all to be stronger and braver and to be the best versions of ourselves. Those she worked with remember her as smart, happy, hard-working, focused, and full of integrity. She left a lasting impression on those she came in touch with, and her bright smile, friendship, compassion, and loyalty will be missed by many.
Mana is survived by her parents, Farhad and Nasrin Mohtasham, her brother, Mazdak Mohtasham, and many friends and extended family worldwide.
A virtual memorial for Mana organized by her family will be held on Saturday, December 5th, 2020 via Zoom: https://sdsu.zoom.us/j/7506875555
An in-person celebration of life for Mana will be held on Saturday, December 12th, 2020 in San Diego.
TELLURIDE, Colorado (KDVR) — Authorities have identified the two people killed in a plane crash near Telluride earlier this week.
According to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, the pilot was 48-year-old Bryan Lee Kill of Huachuca City, Arizona and more recently of Telluride.
The passenger was identified as 37-year-old Mana Mohtasham of Southern California.
FOX31 is learning more about these two victims from close friends and loved ones.
Everett West is fighting to come to terms with losing one of his closest friends and fellow marine Bryan Kill.
“For 48-years-old, the man lived five lifetimes worth of stuff,” West said, adding “He was a pleasure to know. It’s almost surreal, just unfathomable really.”
West tells FOX31 Kill became a combat pilot for the Marines, retired and then became a first officer for American Airlines’ Envoy Air.
“I guess that’s what made this whole thing even harder, he was an accomplished pilot,” West said, adding “He wasn’t just a weekend warrior when it came to flying an aircraft, he knew what he was doing.”
Kill stood out as a leader and role model to many expressing their condolences on social media.
“He left the Marines the same time I did, went off to college, came back and then went through the officer ranks,” West said.
Kill’s dedication as a friend earned him the title of Uncle Bryan in West’s family.
“The guy was fantastic with children, children loved him as much as adults did,” West said. “He just had one of those magnetic personalities that just drew people to him. He’s going to be missed.”
Friends tell FOX31 they especially admired the 48-year-old’s love for adventure.
“The guy was an animal— air, land and sea,” West said. “He could have been a Navy SEAL instead of a Marine. He was comfortable in every element. He had his own boat that he actually soloed from the Annapolis harbor all the way down the coast, across the Panama Canal and up the West Coast of the United States.”
FOX31 spoke with Home Khanum who tells us she was extremely close friends with Mohtasham and her family.
She shared the following statement:
“Mana was truly a special young woman. She was honest, witty, caring, and lived her life to the fullest extent. She had an MBA degree and was working as project manager in San Diego. She loved sports and nature and traveled solo to many parts of the world including the Himalayas. Her energy and kind spirit will be sorely missed by her friends and family.”
The crash occurred about 1:30 p.m. Thursday as the plane was approaching Telluride Regional Airport.
The single-engine aircraft lost contact with the airport and several witnesses reported seeing the aircraft go down.
At approximately 2:30 p.m. Thursday, the crash site was located. Kill and Mohtasham were found deceased.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating and tells FOX31 the board suspects a preliminary report may be available in about 10 days.
TELLURIDE, Colorado — The two people who died in the crash of a small plane near Telluride Regional Airport on Thursday have been identified.
The pilot was identified as 48-year-old Bryan Lee Kill. The San Miguel County Sheriff's Office said he was from Huachuca City, Arizona, and recently of Telluride.
The Sheriff's Office on Saturday identified the passenger as Mana Mohtasham, 37, of Southern California. She has relatives in California and Iran, the Sheriff's Office said.
According to a Facebook post from the Sheriff's Office, the Van's RV-4 was approaching the airport at around 1:30 p.m. when the airport lost contact with the aircraft and several witnesses reported seeing the plane go down.
The sheriff's office said the crash site was located around 2:30 p.m. and both people onboard were found to be dead.
The sheriff's office, San Miguel Search and Rescue, Telluride Fire Department/EMS and the San Miguel County coroner are investigating the scene and working to recover the victims, according to the post.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Van's RV-4 went down about half a mile east of the airport.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, Colorado (KKCO) - The two occupants onboard an experimental aircraft died after they crashed while enroute to the Telluride Regional Airport on Thanksgiving Day.
The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office reports that the airport lost contact with the aircraft around 1:30 p.m., and several witnesses say they saw the plane going down.
San Miguel Sheriff’s Office, San Miguel Search and Rescue, Telluride Fire Department/EMS, and the San Miguel County Coroner responded to the site of the crash and were able to confirm the deaths of two victims.
The pilot has been identified as 48-year-old Bryan Lee Kill of Huachuca City, Arizona. He was traveling with a female passenger whose identity is known but has not been released as the sheriff’s office is working to locate a next of kin.
The FAA and NTSB are currently investigating the circumstances around the crash.
A plane crash on Thursday east of Telluride killed both people onboard, according to the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office.
The experimental aircraft was on approach to the Telluride Regional Airport at 1:30 p.m. when the airport lost contact. Several witnesses reported seeing the aircraft go down.
The Van’s RV-4 had taken off from the Durango-La Plata County Airport at 12:30 p.m. Thursday enroute to Telluride, according to FlightAware and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Members of the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office, San Miguel Search and Rescue, Telluride Fire Department and San Miguel Coroner’s Office were investigating the scene and working to recover the victims.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were notified, and a response plan was being formulated.
According to the FAA, the downed plane was found a half mile east of Telluride and occurred under unknown circumstances. Damage to the aircraft was substantial.