Narrative:

Ase closes at 11 pm local time and approaches are prohibited after dark. Therefore; we discussed we must have the airport by about 14;000 MSL or we can't get in there. Since the weather was questionable (between 6;000 and 7;500 overcast to broken); the captain had already arranged rifle; co as an alternate for aspen.upon arriving at the airport; we were at 17;000 ft; still in IMC. Denver center then gave us a vector to the northwest and descended us to 14;000. Upon reaching that altitude and passing the aspen airport by 15 miles or so; the controller then gave us direct to aspen airport. This would have put us in a position to land runway 15; but since we were still in the clouds; we could not get down. The captain told me to inquire if this is the lowest the controller could give us. The controller indicated she could take us out to the west and bring us in that way at 13;000 MSL; but that would be the lowest. The captain said he wanted to do that so I requested that. After vectoring us to the west and descending us to 13;000; the controller once again gave us direct aspen airport; but informed us that we could only stay on that route/altitude for three minutes before she would have to climb and turn us. Once we reached that point; the controller gave us a climb to 15;000 and a heading of 080.while climbing and turning; the captain commented that he could see the airport and asked if we could do that again; to which the controller said we could but that would be the last try due to the time limit on the airport closing. While on vectors; the captain stated that if he could only get down below the clouds; that he could see the highway and with that and the aircraft's taws/GPWS he thought he could get in. I told him I did not think that was a safe decision to which he replied he would not tell me anymore about what his plans were so that I wouldn't 'worry'--commenting that I worry too much. He then directed me to make phone calls to the FBO on the ground at aspen to inform them of what we were doing. I asked if that could wait; thinking I want to have a full presence in the cockpit while vectoring in the mountains at night. He replied it could not wait and directed me to call them. I made the phone calls fast so that I could return to the cockpit (mentally).so once again; we get vectored out and back in at 13;000 ft. The direct heading to the airport from the west had us on about a 110 or 120 heading; which is approximately 30-40 degrees from runway centerline. The terrain rises from the airport towards our direction; which caused me some concern. We were level and looking for the airport; I personally could not see anything airport wise; although this was my first time into ase at night. As soon as the denver controller directed us to fly heading 080 and climb and maintain 15;000; after her transmission; the captain declared 'airport in sight'; I asked him if he had it to which he replied yes; and I informed the controller. She then stated we were cleared for the visual approach. As the captain was calling for gear down and full flaps; I still had not seen the airport. He deployed the speed brakes and started a very steep unstabilized descent diving for the runway. I completed the checklist then diverted my attention from the terrain display to outside. I finally identified the airport at approximately 1;000 ft above the ground. We were then descending over very steep terrain to make the landing on runway 15. We/he picked up the VASI probably around 500 ft while turning onto final; while still showing a 2000+ FPM descent with the GPWS going off saying 'too low; pull up' 'terrain'.when we got on the ground; I was very shaken up by what had just happened and somewhat angry that the captain had put my life in jeopardy by wanting to get the boss to aspen so badly. I canceled our IFR with denver on the ground and completed my checklist as we taxied in. I then got out of my seat and went about normal duties to get the passengers and bags unloaded and the aircraft 'put to bed' for the night. I was very frustrated at this point with the captain's decision making and basically making me 'along for the ride'.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An aggressive CE-750 Captain pushed an approach to ASE beyond the limits of what the First Officer felt was appropriate. An unstabilized approach accompanied by GPWS warnings resulted but the Captain ignored them and continued to landing.

Narrative: ASE closes at 11 PM local time and approaches are prohibited after dark. Therefore; we discussed we must have the airport by about 14;000 MSL or we can't get in there. Since the weather was questionable (between 6;000 and 7;500 overcast to broken); the Captain had already arranged Rifle; CO as an alternate for Aspen.Upon arriving at the airport; we were at 17;000 FT; still in IMC. Denver Center then gave us a vector to the northwest and descended us to 14;000. Upon reaching that altitude and passing the Aspen airport by 15 miles or so; the Controller then gave us direct to Aspen airport. This would have put us in a position to land Runway 15; but since we were still in the clouds; we could not get down. The Captain told me to inquire if this is the lowest the Controller could give us. The Controller indicated she could take us out to the west and bring us in that way at 13;000 MSL; but that would be the lowest. The Captain said he wanted to do that so I requested that. After vectoring us to the west and descending us to 13;000; the Controller once again gave us direct Aspen airport; but informed us that we could only stay on that route/altitude for three minutes before she would have to climb and turn us. Once we reached that point; the Controller gave us a climb to 15;000 and a heading of 080.While climbing and turning; the Captain commented that he could see the airport and asked if we could do that again; to which the Controller said we could but that would be the last try due to the time limit on the airport closing. While on vectors; the Captain stated that if he could only get down below the clouds; that he could see the highway and with that and the aircraft's TAWS/GPWS he thought he could get in. I told him I did not think that was a safe decision to which he replied he would not tell me anymore about what his plans were so that I wouldn't 'worry'--commenting that I worry too much. He then directed me to make phone calls to the FBO on the ground at Aspen to inform them of what we were doing. I asked if that could wait; thinking I want to have a full presence in the cockpit while vectoring in the mountains at night. He replied it could not wait and directed me to call them. I made the phone calls fast so that I could return to the cockpit (mentally).So once again; we get vectored out and back in at 13;000 FT. The direct heading to the airport from the west had us on about a 110 or 120 heading; which is approximately 30-40 degrees from runway centerline. The terrain rises from the airport towards our direction; which caused me some concern. We were level and looking for the airport; I personally could not see anything airport wise; although this was my first time into ASE at night. As soon as the Denver Controller directed us to fly heading 080 and climb and maintain 15;000; after her transmission; the Captain declared 'airport in sight'; I asked him if he had it to which he replied yes; and I informed the Controller. She then stated we were cleared for the visual approach. As the Captain was calling for gear down and full flaps; I still had not seen the airport. He deployed the speed brakes and started a very steep unstabilized descent diving for the runway. I completed the checklist then diverted my attention from the terrain display to outside. I finally identified the airport at approximately 1;000 FT above the ground. We were then descending over very steep terrain to make the landing on Runway 15. We/he picked up the VASI probably around 500 FT while turning onto final; while still showing a 2000+ FPM descent with the GPWS going off saying 'too low; pull up' 'terrain'.When we got on the ground; I was very shaken up by what had just happened and somewhat angry that the Captain had put my life in jeopardy by wanting to get the boss to Aspen so badly. I canceled our IFR with Denver on the ground and completed my checklist as we taxied in. I then got out of my seat and went about normal duties to get the passengers and bags unloaded and the aircraft 'put to bed' for the night. I was very frustrated at this point with the Captain's decision making and basically making me 'along for the ride'.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.