The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the May 6, 2023, plane crash that claimed the lives of four well-known Florence residents. The report identifies the pilot’s failure to follow established mountain flying guidance as the probable cause of the accident.
The crash, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with trees and mountainous terrain, took place approximately 15 miles north of the Fremont County Airport, where the aircraft departed en route to Centennial Airport in Englewood. The final data point from the plane was recorded about 10 minutes after takeoff.
The victims, pilot and plane owner Bruce Claremont, Laurie Aves, and Roger and Kathrine Duncan, were located the following day, May 7, 2023.
The report serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of adhering to mountain flying best practices, especially in Colorado’s challenging high-altitude terrain.
