# NTSB DEN07CA052: Cessna 120, N1670V, La Salle, CO, January 17, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 17, 2007, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: La Salle, CO
- Coordinates: 40.333889, -104.686943
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3339&lon=-104.6869&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA052

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground.  Contributing factors included the pilot's intentional low pass and his misjudging his altitude.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot said he was "dragging" the airstrip, or flying low over the runway to ascertain its condition.  He allowed the airplane to get too low.  The wheels contacted the deep snow and the airplane nosed over.  Examination of the airplane revealed a buckled right lift strut and a crushed vertical fin and rudder.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he was "dragging" the snow covered airstrip, or flying low over the runway to ascertain its condition.  He allowed the airplane to get too low.  The wheels contacted the deep snow and the airplane nosed over.  Examination of the airplane revealed a buckled right lift strut and a crushed vertical fin and rudder.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1670V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1670V), registered now, S/N 13842 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13842
- Airframe hours: 4230
- Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Johnathan P. Lemley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2006, 130 hours before
- Departed: GXY, Greeley, CO
- Destination: GXY
- Airport: NONE, Low Level Ag Airstrip, runway 11, 3,000 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 416 total, 196 in this make and model, 395 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: GXY

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.

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