N434CP Civil Air Patrol Plane Crash Claims Two Lives in Colorado
On November 23, 2024, a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cessna 182T Skylane (Registration: N434CP) crashed near Palisade Mountain, close to Drake, Colorado. The aircraft was on a search-and-rescue training mission departing from and scheduled to return to Fort Collins/Loveland-Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL/KFNL). The accident resulted in the deaths of pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten, while co-pilot Randall Settergren sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a medical facility by the Colorado Army National Guard.
Incident Overview:
- Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
- Time: Approximately 11:11 AM
- Aircraft Type: Cessna 182T Skylane
- Registration: N434CP
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol
- Mission: Routine training mission focused on aerial photography
- Crash Location: 40°26’18.3″N 105°18’54.2″W
- Departure and Destination: Fort Collins/Loveland-Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL/KFNL)
Challenges of Mountainous Terrain
Mountain flying presents unique challenges due to rapidly changing weather, high altitudes, and rugged terrain. Box canyons, like the one near Palisade Mountain where this crash occurred, leave little room for maneuverability, particularly during training exercises or simulated emergency operations.
FAA & NTSB Investigation Details
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the crash. Preliminary findings reveal that the aircraft was operating near the peak of Palisade Mountain (8,200 ft) when it began to descend at -3,200 feet per minute, as shown by ADS-B Exchange data. The CAP plane was reportedly squawking on ADS-B Mode C, which may have limited its visibility on flight tracking systems.
Updates from local monitoring forums revealed that CAP 534’s last transmission occurred at 10:08 AM, and the dispatch page was released at 11:20 AM. The ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) alarm on 121.5 MHz was heard by multiple general aviation and commercial pilots in Northern Colorado until it was turned off by Larimer SAR teams.
Were You or Someone You Know Affected
I’m saddened to hear of the loss of two dedicated Civil Air Patrol members, Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten, who lost their lives in today’s crash and my thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues. These individuals, along with survivor… pic.twitter.com/vWljkcfyTO
— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) November 24, 2024
N434CP Civil Air Patrol Plane Crash Details
- Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
- Time: 11:10 AM
- Location: Near Drake, Colorado, (Palisade Mountain)
- Type: Cessna 182T Skylane
- Owner/Operator: Civil Air Patrol
- Registration/Tail: N434CP
- Year of Manufacture: 2009
- Purpose of Flight: Search and rescue training mission (CAP534)
- Phase of Flight: Maneuvering in mountainous terrain
- Departure Airport: Fort Collins/Loveland-Northern Colorado Regional Airport, CO (FNL/KFNL)
- Destination Airport: Fort Collins/Loveland-Northern Colorado Regional Airport, CO (FNL/KFNL)
- Fatalities: 2 (Pilot and aerial photographer)
- Injured: 1 (Co-pilot)
- Occupants: 3
- Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Narrative:
- The CAP Cessna 182T crashed into the Palisade Mountain while conducting a training exercise.
- The pilot and an aerial photographer were fatally injured. The co-pilot sustained serious injuries.
- Preliminary ADS-B data suggests the aircraft was maneuvering in a box canyon when it experienced a sudden drop in altitude (-3200 fpm) from approximately 8075 ft.
- The Palisade Mountain peak is around 8200 ft.
Investigating Agency: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Additional Notes:
- The Civil Air Patrol crew typically consists of a Mission Pilot, Mission Observer, and Mission Scanners/Aerial Photographers.
- It is likely the surviving co-pilot was not acting as a pilot during this training flight.
Current Status:
- The NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash.
This information is compiled from news reports, social media, and unofficial sources. Further details will likely emerge as the investigation progresses and we will update the blog accordingly.
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