Just saw this on 7 news in Denver-asked mtnmatt if he knew of anyone flying up there this weekend-hopefully no one from here!?

A plane crashed east of Marble and they are confirming at least one dead no word yet on airplane type...

This is a bummer. Matt and I have been getting news that the plane had 3 occupants. One is dead and two injured. East bound take-off from what they are reporting. Prayers for the two survivors and family of the deceased.

Terrible news indeed. Hoping for the best at this point. Thoughts and Prayers

Woke up to an email from bw on this. Very sad.

From 7 news:

DENVER -- Authorities said one person was killed and one was critically injured in the crash of a single-engine airplane in western Colorado.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane crashed at about 7 a.m. Sunday near Marble, 125 miles west of Denver.

FAA spokesman Mike Fergus said the cause isn't known. Federal investigators are heading to the scene.

Fergus said three people were aboard. He said the two survivors have been taken to a hospital, one with critical injuries. Fergus did not know the status of the other person.

No names have been released.

FAA records said the plane was a Beech G35 built in 1956 and owned by William Fritts of Osceola, Mo. No one answered the phone at Fritts' home Sunday.

A Bonanza from MO departing East from Marble with 3 on board.

I don't think the plane actually landed at Marble, but if so, that's a terrible decision.

It has been near record temperatures here in western Colorado. Today it was 99F at my house in Grand Junction. McClure pass (~9000 ft) is currently (6:30 PM) 79F. It wasn't a good day for mountain flying. I'm sorry to hear about the crash.

This article confirms the plane was taking off from Marble and it was the pilot that died.

http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/140935

You've gotta love conflicting news reports. I have been in contact with a fellow Colorado Pilot's Association member who handles waivers for the airstrip owner. Here is the latest:

"The aircraft was flying back from a tour and flew over the strip eastward (1-2 thousand feet AGL) into the upper valley. The plane was turning in the bowl above Beaver Lake and impacted the slope east of the lake. The pilot was killed. The other passengers are recovering after one of them had surgery on a severely broken ankle. Glen seems fine with continued use..."

bushwagon wrote: Glen seems fine with continued use..."

I'll trust your info and I'm glad to hear Glen will continue to allow use.

More to add:

The aircraft had taken off to the West from the Marble Airstrip while giving a mother and daughter a sightseeing ride. They had been up for about 10 minutes and were returning. They overflew the airstrip eastbound into the bowl, that is when the crash happened. Neither a takeoff or landing accident.

This is a sad story. Everyone be carful out there and watch that DA altitude. I was leaving my dads field Sunday afternoon about 4 o'clock. It's always been an easy take off but Sunday the alfalfa was 14" tall and it was 88 degrees out and between the two I had only about 30 percent of my normal hight when I crossed the power lines. Really made me stop and think.

Blu wrote:This is a sad story. Everyone be carful out there and watch that DA altitude. I was leaving my dads field Sunday afternoon about 4 o'clock. It's always been an easy take off but Sunday the alfalfa was 14" tall and it was 88 degrees out and between the two I had only about 30 percent of my normal hight when I crossed the power lines. Really made me stop and think.

Hi Blu. So your saying instead of 100' take off it was 200'

Cheers...Rob

RobBurson wrote:

Blu wrote:This is a sad story. Everyone be carful out there and watch that DA altitude. I was leaving my dads field Sunday afternoon about 4 o'clock. It's always been an easy take off but Sunday the alfalfa was 14" tall and it was 88 degrees out and between the two I had only about 30 percent of my normal hight when I crossed the power lines. Really made me stop and think.

Hi Blu. So your saying instead of 100' take off it was 200'

Cheers...Rob

ya something like that. It's just that the hay field is only 800' long and at 6400' msl and the power line at the end is a good 60' tall. DA was probaly close to 8-9k and it was dead calm. Was really kicking myself after I took off for not going the other way over the 30' trees. No reason to take unnecessary chances. I think the thick alfalfa really slowed the takeoff roll too.

CEN10FA299

On June 6, 2010, approximately 0715 mountain daylight time, a Beech G35, N887M, was substantially
damaged upon impact with terrain while maneuvering to land at a private airfield near Marble,
Colorado. The private pilot was fatally injured, one passenger was seriously injured, and one
passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual.
No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of
Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed the private airstrip
approximately 0630.
The two passengers were interview by the National Transportation Safety Board
investigator-in-charge (IIC) along with two inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA). Both passengers reported that the local flight was uneventful until the airplane attempted
to land on the airstrip. They stated that the pilot lowered the landing gear and began looking for
the airstrip. The passengers described that the sun had risen above the eastern ridgeline and the
airplane was flying towards the sun making it difficult to see forward of the airplane. Shortly
after that, the pilot reported that he had "overshot" the landing area and began a left turn. The
airplane's flight path headed towards rising terrain and the passengers stated that the pilot
initiated a climb at the last moment, but was not successful. The airplane collided with several
tall aspen trees before impacting terrain. The passengers both stated that the engine sounded
normal throughout the flight and that the pilot did not remark about any aircraft malfunction.
The accident site was located in a heavily wooden area approximately 2.5 nautical miles east of the
runway, at an approximate elevation of 8,400 feet mean sea level. All major aircraft components
were accounted for at the accident scene. The airplane’s configuration was consistent with the
landing gear being extended and the flaps in the retracted position at the time of the accident.
The left wing displayed several semi-circular impacts with embedded tree debris. The engine
separated from the firewall but remained attached to the fuselage via the control cables. Both
propeller blades displayed chord-wise scratches; one blade displayed curling and the other blade
was bent rearward.
A global positioning system (GPS) unit was retained for further examination.

wow...that is unfortunate. My prayers go out to the families involved.
To me sun in the eyes blinding your landing area is something to take seriously and always consider...not trying to monday morning QB though..

They're trying to find help to salvage / get money from the wreck since the owner / pilot / fatality wasn't insured. http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_ ... nanza.html

After looking at the photo on Barnstormers, I am amazed that anyone got out alive.

flynbeekeeper wrote:After looking at the photo on Barnstormers, I am amazed that anyone got out alive.

Me too

SixTwoLeemer wrote:http://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=46257&p=410688#p410688

http://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtop ... =7&t=47176

The post saying that Marble is 4600' long.....followed by...you Baron guys can even use it....just sends shivers down me.