# NTSB DEN05LA023: Cessna 152, N48943, Lyons, CO, November 14, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 14, 2004, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Lyons, CO - Coordinates: 40.163612, -105.16278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1636&lon=-105.1628&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60551 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60551/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA023 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by his intentional VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, descent - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - clouds - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis While descending through a layer of clouds, the airplane impacted trees and came to rest entangled with trees. According to the pilot and passenger, after performing climbs, descents, and turning maneuvers above a cloud layer, the pilot descended the airplane through the clouds. During the descent through the cloud layer, the airplane impacted trees. ## Factual narrative On November 14, 2004, approximately 1015 mountain standard time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N48943, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain while maneuvering near Lyons, Colorado. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Air West Flight Center, Inc., Longmont, Colorado. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The flight departed the Vance Brand Airport (2V2), Longmont, Colorado, approximately 0900. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the airplane departed 2V2 to the east in visual meteorological conditions (VMC). After departure, the pilot "climbed [the airplane] over a cloud deck maintaining VFR (visual flight rules) cloud clearances." While on top of the cloud layer, the pilot demonstrated basic flight maneuvers to the passenger. The pilot then turned the airplane to the west and south. While "descending [at] 2,300 feet per minute in VMC," the airplane impacted the tops of trees. According to the Passenger Statement (NTSB Form 6120.9), the passenger reported that during the flight, the pilot demonstrated basic flight maneuvers. The pilot climbed the airplane above the clouds and practiced more turns. The pilot then told the passenger he would look for a "clearing" and start to descend. The passenger stated they "found a gap" and started to descend. The passenger reported, "As we started to descend it got really thick and it was hard to see, but when I was looking out the window I could see some ground...and then it got really blackish blue and then I looked out the front window and I saw trees..." According to the local authorities that interviewed the pilot and passenger, the passenger recently won an essay contest through his local high school for 16 hours of flight and ground instruction provided by Air West Flight Center, Inc. The accident flight was the introductory flight of the awarded program. The local authorities reported the right wing was separated, the empennage was twisted, and the cabin sustained "extensive damage." At 0945, the Jeffco Airport (BJC), Denver, Colorado, automated weather observing system (AWOS), located approximately 15 statute miles southeast of the accident site, reported the wind variable at 3 knots, 3 statute miles visibility, mist, sky overcast at 600 feet, temperature 1 degree Celsius, dew point minus 1 degree Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.28 inches of Mercury. At 1045, the BJC AWOS reported the wind from 340 degrees at 4 knots, 3 statute miles visibility, mist, sky broken at 800 feet, temperature 3 degrees Celsius, dew point 0 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.28 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48943](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48943-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 15283391, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15283391 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Air West Flight Center Inc - Registered owner: Air West Flight Center, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 2V2, Longmont, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 13, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 1,525 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,436 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20041114028889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041114028889A), Nov 14, 2004: Cessna 152, Lyons, CO, Destroyed. (-23) Ross sutcliffe (a CFI) was conducting a demonstration flight to a [privacy data omitted] this flight was conducted in weather that was less than VFR. Mr.… ## Other investigations on N48943 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC89LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA015), Nov 8, 1988: Cessna 152 (N48943), Nenana, AK, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.