# NTSB DEN83LA103: Cessna 172, N4609J, Leadville, CO, April 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1983, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Leadville, CO
- Coordinates: 39.240699, -106.289871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2407&lon=-106.2899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH SNOW COVERED RISING TERRAIN WHEN FLT WAS ATTEMPTED THROUGH A CANYON PASS. THE PLT SAID HE COULD SEE THAT THE TERRAIN COULD NOT BE CLEARED SO HE WAS TRYING TO TURN AROUND TO FLY OUT. THE ACFT STALLED IN THE TURN AND MUSHED INTO THE SNOW. THE PLT HAD LOWERED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS AND REPORTED THAT THE STALL WARNING WAS GOING. THE PLT SAID HE SOULD HAVE CIRCLED LONGER OR CARRIED ONE LESS PERSON OR LESS FUEL. THE DENSITY ALT WAS COMPUTED AS 14,012 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4609J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4609J-1985-03-20), registration cancelled 1985-03-20, S/N 17273653 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273653
- Airframe hours: 988
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-HZAD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alpine Flight Services
- Registered owner: Cohig And Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 7, 1982, 20 hours before
- Departed: LUX, LEADVILLE, CO
- Destination: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,975 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 4,584 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830423015189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830423015189A), Apr 23, 1983: Cessna 172N, Leadville, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft unable to gain enough altitude to clear mountain pass. Pilot did not allow room for 180 degree turn.

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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