Gulfstream American Corp AA-5A N26930 accident near Baxter Pass, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a turn, resulting in an unrecoverable aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

Witness statements and recovered GPS data revealed that the commercial pilot and passenger were conducting aerial patrol of an underground pipeline. GPS data overlaid on a map of the pipeline route indicate that the pilot flew a track that was offset to the right of the pipeline, and then initiate a 90-degree left turn during the last 30 seconds of flight. During the offset and start of the turn, the airplane climbed 102 feet and decelerated from 95 miles per hour to 67 miles per hour. Density altitude was about 9,350 feet. Impact signatures and wreckage distribution indicated the airplane impacted terrain in a steep nose-low attitude, consistent with an aerodynamic stall. Examination of the wreckage showed no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical anomalies.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DEN08FA152 for the full record.