# NTSB DEN83LA061: Cessna 172K, N84631, Dove Creek, CO, February 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1983, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Dove Creek, CO
- Coordinates: 37.759315, -108.89936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7593&lon=-108.8994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA061

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A LOW PASS OVER THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MADE TWO LOW PASSES OVER THE RWY DURING THE 2ND PASS 'THE ACFT WAS IN GROUND, EFFECT WITH MILD UP AND DOWN DRAFTS USING MINIMAL POWER SETTING.' THE LEFT WING WAS DOWN DUE TO LEFT CROSSWIND. THE PILOT WAS FLYING FROM THE RT. SEAT AND 1ST LOOKED OUT THE RT WINDOW. 'WE WERE 3 TO 4 FT ABOVE THE SNOW AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH. I LOOKED TO THE FRONT THEN TO MY LEFT. THE ACFT WENT INTO AN ABRUPT NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE RT WING HIT THEN CARTWHEELED TO THE LEFT.' IN A WRITTEN REPORT THE PILOT WROTE, 'WHEN I MADE THE 2ND PASS I SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER WITH 5 TO 10 KTS MORE AIRSPEED.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84631](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84631-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 17258553, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 53883
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Albert A Halbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 1982
- Departed: 6V6, NUCLA, CO
- Airport: 8V6, Dove Creek, runway 19, 4,000 × 135 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,400 total, 784 in this make and model, 1,221 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19830215004069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830215004069A), Feb 15, 1983: Cessna 172K, Dove Creek, CO, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing in the snow on a low pass over the unplowed runway. The aircraft then cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N84631 (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 DEN74DTE44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DTE44-201594), Jan 15, 1974: Cessna 172 (N84631), Fort Lupton, CO, 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.

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