# NTSB DEN83FA070: Cessna 172, N84822, Limon, CO, March 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1983, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Limon, CO
- Coordinates: 39.26054, -103.680061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2605&lon=-103.6801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15973/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA070

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SNOW COVERED FIELD DURING IMC WEATHER. WITNESSES HEARD AND SAW AN ACFT FLYING LOW IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT JUST BEFORE THE CRASH. THERE ARE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE ACTUAL CRASH. THE ACFT WAS DISCOVERED SEVERAL HOURS LATER BY A SNOW PLOW OPERATOR PASSING ON A NEARBY ROAD. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A FLAT OPEN FIELD IN WINGS LEVEL, NOSE LOW, DESCENDING ATTITUDE ON A HEADING OF 135 DEGREES. THE WEATHER WAS INDEFINITE CEILINGS, 200 FEET, SKY OBSCURED, VISIBILITY LESS THATN ONE MILE WITH SNOW, WIND 360 DEGREES AT 17 KTS. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N84822 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258629
- Airframe hours: 4107
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mr & Mrs Phyllis M. Gillespie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1982, 446 hours before
- Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Destination: STK, STERLING, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 245 total, 245 in this make and model, 206 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 17 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WSMO, 20 nm away

## 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 19830306006129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830306006129A), Mar 6, 1983: Cessna 172K, Limon, CO, Destroyed. VFR pilot lost control in IMC. Crashed into farm equipment in an open field. No record of weather briefing.

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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