1980 — June 18, Cessna 182 and Cessna 310 collide, East Maroon Pass near Aspen CO–all 10

–10 AP. “10 die as two small planes crash near Aspen…” Gazette Telegraph, Col. Springs, CO, 6-19-1980, 2A.
–10 Aviation Safety Network. Cessna 182J collision, N Aspen CO, 6-18-1980.
–10 National Transportation Safety Board. “NTSB Identification: DEC80FA043.”
–4 Cessna 182, registration: N2793F
–6 Cessna 310, registration N7FC

Narrative Information

National Transportation Safety Board. “NTSB Identification: DEC80FA043.”:
“Aircraft: Cessna 182, registration: N2793F
“File 3-3290
“Date 80/6/18, time – 1025
….
“Injuries CR-2 [fatal]
PX-2 [fatal]
OT-6 [fatal]
“Flight Purpose Noncommercial business
“Pilot Data Private, age 26, 332 total hours, 105 in type, instrument rated.
“Departure Point Aspen, CO
“Intended Destination Gunnison, CO
“Type of accident Collision with aircraft: both in flight….
“Probable cause(s) Pilot in command – failed to see and avoid other aircraft”

“Aircraft: Cessna 310, registration N7FC
“File 3-3290
“Date 80/6/18, time – 1025
….
“Injuries CR-1 [fatal]
PX-5 [fatal]
OT-4 [fatal]
“Flight Purpose Noncommercial pleasure/personal
“Pilot Data Commercial, age 33, 626 total hours, 310 in type, instrument rated.
“Departure Point Crested Bute, CO
“Intended Destination Aspen, CO
“Type of accident Collision with aircraft: both in flight….
“Probable cause(s) Pilot in command – failed to see and avoid other aircraft”

Newspaper

June 19, AP: “Aspen (AP) – Investigators are trying to determine whether two planes that crashed just south of this ski resort, killing all 10 persons aboard, collided in the air. A single-engine Cessna 182 with four persons aboard and a twin-engine Cessna 310 with six persons aboard crashed Wednesday near the summit of the 12,000-foot East Maroon Pass. The wreckage of the planes was spotted by a search helicopter after the single-engine plane was reported missing on a flight from Aspen to Gunnison….

“[Investigators] were sent to the crash sites about 15 miles southwest of Aspen.

“Tom Snow, Pitkin County sheriff’s spokesman, said the Cessna 182 apparently disintegrated on impact about 50 feet below the crest of the pass. He said the twin-engine craft crashed about a half mile from the smaller plane, but remained intact. Neither plane burned.

“Killed aboard the single-engine aircraft were Jeff Keft, Pat Palangi, Tom Spillane, and Rudy Csadenyl, all of Aspen, Pitkin County authorities said.

“Passengers who died in the twin-engine plane were Brenda Boyd, Michael Pokress, Ellen Pokress, Betsy Hube, Bob Pimanell, and David Freedman. All but Freedman were residents of Aspen. Pimanell was believed to be the pilot, authorities said….

“The single-engine plane had taken off from Aspen and headed south for Gunnison at about 11 a.m., said airport manager Doug McCoy. At about the same time, the twin-engine craft took off from Crested Butte, its destination unknown, authorities said.

“Paul Kari, FAA spokesman, said East Maroon Pass is a narrow pass that serves as ‘the main route in and out of Aspen.’

“Crested Butte lies nearly on a direct line between Gunnison and Aspen and East Maroon Pass is a common flight path between the cities, authorities said….” (Assoc. Press. “10 die as two small planes crash near Aspen ski resort.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 6-19-1980, 2A.)

Sources

Associated Press. “10 die as two small planes crash near Aspen ski resort.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 6-19-1980, 2A. Accessed 7-22-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-jun-19-1980-p-2/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database. Cessna 182J collision, N Aspen CO, 6-18-1980. Accessed 7-22-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/7558

National Transportation Safety Board. “NTSB Identification: DEC80FA043.” Accessed 7-23 2023 at: https://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/brief.aspx?ev_id=31245&key=0
And at: https://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/brief.aspx?ev_id=31244&key=0