CORTEZ, CO, USA
N980DW
GULFSTREAM AEROCOMMANDER 695
THE ACCIDENT ACFT WAS THE FIRST TO USE THE RWY SINCE IT WAS SCRAPED BY THE SNOW PLOW EARLIER IN THE DAY. A COMMERCIAL PLT THAT OPERATES AT THE ARPT SAID ABOUT 2-3 INCHES OF SNOW HAD ACCUMULATED ON THE RWY SINCE IT WAS CLEARED. THE PLT OF THE ACCIDENT ACFT SAID HE BACK-TAXIED ON THE RWY FOR TAKEOFF. HE BELIEVES ONE OF THE TIRES GOT IN A TAXI-MADE RUT AND THE OTHER WAS IN THE SLUSH FOR TAKEOFF. AT ABOUT 80 KTS IAS DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE ACFT SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT ACCORDING TO THE PLT. THE POWER WAS NORMAL SO SLUSH DRAG WAS ASSUMED TO BE THE CAUSE. THE PLT SAID THAT BEFORE CORRECTIVE ACTION COULD TAKE EFFECT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK. A COMMERCIAL ACFT OPERATOR AT THE ARPT SAID THATHE DROVE ALONG THE TRACKS MADE BY THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE SAID IT APPEARED TO HIM THAT THE SNOW TRACKS DEPARTED THE CENTER OF THE RWY FOR QUITE A WAYS BEFORE HITTING THE SNOWBANK.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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