The pilot of a corporate plane flying between Grand Junction and New Mexico was killed Thursday morning when the multi-engine Piper Seneca crashed on Mount Wilson, southwest of Telluride.
The pilot, who was not identified Thursday, was the only person on board the plane owned by American Aviation Air Charter out of Salt Lake City.
The plane was headed to the private Animas Airpark and had stopped at Walker Field Airport in Grand Junction before the crash. No flight plan was filed.
Steve Hamilton with the Colorado Civil Air Patrol said several people witnessed the crash and that San Miguel County search and rescue personnel were able to reach the site quickly.
The crash occurred at 12,500 feet near Woods Lake, a popular backcountry fishing and camping spot in the Uncompahgre National Forest.
No turbulent weather was reported in the area at the time.
The aircraft’s maintenance records were up to date, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The airplane had problems with its nose-gear steering system in October 2001 and February 2002, but no other maintenance problems were reported, records showed.
Jennifer Kaiser, an air-safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, said she planned to travel to the crash site this morning, but a storm front moving into that area may delay the investigation until Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Staff writer Nancy Lofholm can be reached at 970-256-1957 or nlofholm@denverpost.com.
