On November 23, 1998, about 1510 mountain time, Northwest Airlink (Mesaba)
Flight 3278 crashed into a mountain peak 3 miles east, northeast of Aspen
Colorado Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the
flight that originated from Minneapolis, MN. IFR flight plan had been
filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Once the aircraft had
passed Denver VOR by about 40 nautical miles, severe turbulence and very
dense fog settled into the Aspen area. Instead of re-routing to Denver, the
flight crew continued the flight to Aspen. While beginning to establish on
the localizer, the airplane came in contact with one of the many mountain slopes
in the Aspen area. All 47 on board died.
Probable Cause
-Decision to continue to Aspen by pilot-in command