M20E crashes at KCOS with AFA grad & wife
 

The aircraft took off from KRAP at 9:18am on December 22nd and was scheduled to arrive in Colorado Springs at 12:00 noon. The METAR at KCOS was 1/4SM OVC001 FZFG when the couple departed KRAP. The TAF's from a few hours before until the Mooney departed KRAP were showing an hour before their arrival P6SM and BKN015-ish. The weather at KCOS never lifted from the METAR that they had when they departed KRAP. It actually got worse with a M1/4SM RVR007V014 FZFG M03/M04. They apparently conducted two approaches in to KCOS. The first was missed, and the second was a flat impact in to the ground by the looks of the pictures. To the north was good VFR, 7-9SM vis and FEW120. To the east and southeast was marginal VFR to light IFR with the same vis and ceilings between 015 & 020.

It appears that some thought was given on the departure time from KRAP. They departed to arrive an hour after the weather was forecast to come up above FAA mins for the approach. Then it never did and it seems the game plan never changed in the pilots mind. Especially with so many other good weather options in non-icing conditions.

I couldn't find any pilot reports from directly around KCOS but during the time of the accident there were PIREPS from KPUB reporting tops at around 060. So it appears that it was a thin layer above the airports.

The weather, not the best for an airplane that only has defrost and pitot heat to be going in to know icing conditions. I know that morning I had to stop twice (every 4 miles) and chip the ice off my headlights from the fog. There are always other conditions that could have caused the accident but it's not looking good for the aviators in this one given the weather.

For me these lessons were learned.

1) Watch for get-there-itis. Especially around the holidays. Divert, rent a car, get a hotel, have someone pick you up, or wait it out.
2) Keep divert options open just like we should always be thinking about the go around on short final. Don't lose focus that the TAF didn't work out quite the way you wanted it to.
3) While conducting an approach in conditions below the mins is for the most part OK. Realize that you are doing this approach just for practice and after the first missed aproach your option is your alternate airport.
4) With the previous stated know the capabilities of your aircraft. Icing conditions no matter how short of a time you are planning to encounter them can cause serious outcomes if your equipment is not certified for them.

Well said. I have been giving this sad crash a lot of thought since its in my neck of the woods. Lots of good airports just to the north with good weather. APA OR BJC are only a 1.5 to 2 hour drive.

You and me both. The gentleman was a student in my flight down in Pueblo back in Nov 2007. I never personally flew with him but know the instructors who did. From January to June my wife was stationed at Ellsworth and I stayed in the Springs since it was a short PCS. I made the same trip this pilot did every two weeks in a Cherokee 6. Sometimes stretching out to nearly eastern Nebraska or haning out in Chadron, Scottsbulff, or Kimball to avoid weather but it was always quicker than the 8 hour drive.

I don't want this to turn in to an onslaught towards the pilot. I all ready have my own and have heard plenty of opinion on this matter. Once the final outcome of the accident has been released we can share those stories. That's the professional way to handle it for now as a pilot and former safety officer with the USAF.

For now does any one else have any important lessons or comments regarding the information presented to us so far on this accident?

Tailwinds......... :( :(

Musdg, I live about 8 miles from COS and I was actually driving around that area just after the crash occurred. All I can add was that the vis was horrible and the freezing fog was horrible. At times, the visibility was less than 50' on the ground and everything had a coat of ice from the freezing fog. I have flown in a lot of crap, and this would have been a day, I would not have even wanted to try. Especially with APA being VFR.

Hey MusDg,

Sad! My wife gave me the news over here in the desert, said the WX was horrible...I hadn't seen the TAF/METAR till you posted it. I'll keep my opinions to myself till the report comes out.

Say hey to the wife and kids,

Cheers,
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Merry Christmas my friend. I'll say hey to the kids. Once the wife gets back from the desert I'll say hey to her too. She's kicking it over the OMAM right now. She gets her first vacation Jan 14-Jan31.