Pilot Attempted A Forced Landing To A Roadway In A Residential Urban Area In Arvada, Colorado

Location: Arvada, CO Accident Number: CEN24FA212
Date & Time: June 7, 2024, 09:30 Local Registration: N150WR
Aircraft: Beech V35A Injuries: 1 Fatal, 3 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On June 7, 2024, about 0930 mountain daylight time, a Beech V35A airplane, N150WR, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Arvada, Colorado. The pilot and 2 passengers sustained serious injuries, and 1 passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to Automated Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed Centennial Airport (APA), Englewood, Colorado, about 0914. The intended destination was Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL), Fort Collins, Colorado. About 10 minutes after departure from APA, the pilot radioed that he was having engine oil pressure problems and wanted to divert to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC), Broomfield, Colorado. While enroute to BJC, the pilot attempted a forced landing to a roadway in a residential urban area in Arvada, Colorado. Witnesses in the area saw and heard the airplane. They stated that the airplane was flying low, and the engine did not sound normal. The witnesses described what they thought was white smoke coming from the airplane.

Examination of the accident site showed that the airplane’s left wingtip impacted a 30-ft tall tree adjacent to the roadway. Parts of the left wingtip were found in the roadway near the tree. Evidence at the accident site showed that the airplane contacted the roadway, gear up, and slid down the road until it collided with a parked vehicle and came to rest upright in the front yard of a private residence. Ground scars on the roadway were consistent with contact and scraping from the bottom of the fuselage. The distance traveled from the initial impact with the tree to the final resting place was about 400 ft. 

The airplane structure was mostly consumed by a postimpact fire. The cockpit instruments were destroyed by fire and could not be evaluated. Onsite examination of the airframe showed that the landing gear and flaps were retracted. Because of the severe fire damage, the engine and airframe were transported to a secure facility for more detailed examinations. No flight control cable separations indicating preimpact failures were found for any of the flight control systems. No preimpact anomalies or structural failures were found with the airframe. No preimpact anomalies or structural failures were found with the airframe. 

Damages on the propeller blades showed evidence consistent of some degree of rotation at the time of impact. Examination of the engine revealed that the engine was partially attached to the engine mounts and firewall. The engine case was intact with no obvious holes or preimpact damage. The oil cap was on and secure. The oil quick drain was found in the closed position and was securely mounted to the oil pan with safety wire present. The propeller was rotated slightly to the left and right to see if the engine was seized. No further rotation was attempted to preserve any internal failure evidence. The engine was retained for further examination. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov