This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N162GL
- History of Flight:
On October 4, 2026, at about 2129 local time, a Diamond DA40 Diamond Star XLS, N162GL, registered to Boulder Aviation Partners LLC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Boulder, Colorado. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The personal flight originated from Vance Brand Airport (LMO/KLMO), Longmont, Colorado, at 1832.
According to recent flight-tracking history, On September 27, 2026, at 0903, the airplane departed LMO on a flight to Sterling Municipal Airport (STK/KSTK), Sterling, Colorado, where it landed at roughly 1000. The airplane departed on a return trip to LMO at 1134. On October 2, 2026, at 1457, the airplane departed LMO on a flight to Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE/KEGE), Gypsum, Colorado. The return trip to LMO was initiated at 1652. In these four flights, the airplane followed usual and uneventful paths.
According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1830, the airplane taxied from the ramp to runway 29 at LMO and initiated a takeoff without making any traffic calls. At the same time, a Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N927TS, was in the pattern for runway 11. The Cessna attempted to call out the Diamond several times, but without response. The Diamond continued its departure and the Cessna circled around to avoid it. A few seconds later, the pilot of the Cessna was heard saying: "Hey, 2GL, thanks so much for cutting us off in the traffic pattern," and "There’s someone on upwind for 29 who’s being really dangerous." The Diamond continued its climb to 10,000 ft and did not respond to the Cessna (see figures).
 |
| Figure 1: Cessna (blue) in pattern and Diamond taxiing (red) |
 |
| Figure 2: Cessna (blue) in pattern avoiding the Diamond takeoff (red) |
The airplane continued south and over mountainous terrain in a very erratic flight path. At 1851, the airplane initiated a 4000 feet per minute (fpm) descent from 11,100 ft over mountainous terrain, reaching 194 knots groundspeed at one specific point (According to the flight manual, the never exceed speed (Vne) for this airplane was 178 KIAS). The airplane continued to fly in a series of erratic turns. At 1902, the airplane climbed to 12,500 ft and headed west along mountainous terrain. At 1947, the airplane entered a series of turns and maneuvers over the mountains at 13,000 ft before proceeding east. At about 2045, the airplane reached the area where it initially started its erratic path west of Boulder, Colorado, and proceeded to conduct a series of erratic turns and maneuvers as described before. The last segment of the track, recorded at 2128:57, showed the airplane on a 270° heading and descending towards mountainous terrain from an altitude of 7,250 ft with an initial groundspeed of 133 knots. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 7,000 ft, 145 knots, and +500 feet per minute (fpm) rate.
 |
| Figure 3: Entire ADS-B exchange track ran through Flysto with groundspeed data overlay |
 |
| Figure 4: Takeoff from LMO |
 |
| Figure 5: Entire Track (3D) |
 |
| Figure 6: End of Flysto track |
 |
| Figure 7: View from mountainous terrain of last section of track (Google Earth) |
 |
| Figure 8: Another view with a line extended from the last data point |
The airplane was reported missing and located the next day.
- Pilot Information:
Unknown.
- Airplane Information:
The accident airplane, serial number 40.1162, was manufactured in 2012. It was a 4-seat, low-wing, all-composite airplane powered by a Lycoming IO-360-M1A+ engine that drove a two-bladed Hartzell propeller. The airplane was issued a certification on 10/23/2021.
An old sale ad listed that the airplane was equipped for IFR flight and a Garmin G-1000 with an Active Traffic and Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT).
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Unknown.
- Weather:
METAR KBDU 050255Z AUTO 24007KT 10SM CLR 21/M03 A3029 RMK AO2=
METAR KBDU 050315Z AUTO 18003KT 10SM CLR 21/M03 A3030 RMK AO2=
METAR KBDU 050335Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/M01 A3030 RMK AO2=
METAR KBDU 050355Z AUTO 22004KT 10SM CLR 16/00 A3030 RMK AO2=
METAR K0CO 050255Z AUTO 29012KT 10SM CLR 05/M06 A3079 RMK AO2=
METAR K0CO 050315Z AUTO 29010KT 10SM CLR 05/M06 A3080 RMK AO2=
METAR K0CO 050335Z AUTO 29009KT 10SM CLR 05/M06 A3080 RMK AO2=
METAR K0CO 050355Z AUTO 28009KT 10SM CLR 05/M05 A3081 RMK AO2=
METAR KBJC 050255Z AUTO 25004KT 10SM CLR 18/01 A3033 RMK AO2=
METAR KBJC 050315Z AUTO 25005KT 10SM CLR 17/00 A3033 RMK AO2=
METAR KBJC 050335Z AUTO 25003KT 10SM CLR 17/00 A3033 RMK AO2=
METAR KBJC 050355Z AUTO 17004KT 10SM CLR 17/M01 A3034 RMK AO2=