HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On Novemer 23, 1998, about 1510 mountain time, Northwest Airlink flight 3278 crashed during approach into Aspen, Colorado while on a 14 CFR Part 91 scheduled flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a IFR flight plan was filed. While preparing for turn inbound, the aircraft made contact with one of the mountain peaks near about 3 miles from Aspen. According to weather reports, visability was less than 1/8 of a mile.The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, copilot, 2 flight attendents, and 43 passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated from Minneapolis, Minnesota

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The airplane was registered to Northwest Airlink, INC (Avro RJ-85).

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Information pertaining to weather is contained in the VTSB Factual Report.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT

An on-scene investigation was conducted by the VTSB which revealed that the airplane impacted the peak nose and right wing low. The fuel quantity was determined to be sufficient to sustain engine operation and examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of flight control failure or malfunction.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL

A postmortem examination was conducted on the pilot by a local Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Denver, Colorado. The cause of death was listed as aortic transection, secondary to blunt force deceleration injuries, resulting from aircraft crash. There was no evidence of acute myocardial necrosis.

A toxicological analysis of specimens of the pilot was performed by the VTSB Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory. The results were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and tested drugs.