# NTSB DEN84FA115: Cessna 172RG, N6521R, Greeley, CO, March 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1984, 21:50 local (Mar 25, 1984, 04:50 UTC)
- Place: Greeley, CO
- Coordinates: 40.439907, -104.6697 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4399&lon=-104.6697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16205
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16205/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA115

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND DURING A NIGHT FORCED LANDING. THE ACFT HAD MADE SOME STRANGE SOUNDS AND STARTED VIBRATING AFTER TAKEOFF. A GLIDE WAS SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING. SINCE THE ARPT COULD NOT BE REACHED A LANDING WAS MADE ON A DRY RIVER BED. EXAM OF THE PROP SHOWED 6 3/4 INCHES OF ONE BLADE WERE MISSING AND COULD NOT BE LOCATED. FAILURE OF THE BLADE WAS DETERMINED TO BE FROM A PRE-EXISTING FATIGUE CRACK. THE PLT SAID THE ACFT IS OPERATED OFF OF A GRAVEL STRIP IN NEW MEXICO.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - loss,partial (cause)
  - airspeed - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - inadequate (cause)
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - previous damage (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6521R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6521R-1993-11-08), registration cancelled 1993-11-08, S/N 300-002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Price Gordon ULTIMATE 10-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/price-gordon-ultimate-10-300) (registry code 7220531) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0190
- Airframe hours: 994
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn E. Illa Faye Widener
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1983, 127 hours before
- Destination: TCC, TUCUMCARI, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GXY, Weld County, runway 9, 7,035 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,845 total, 410 in this make and model, 2,650 as pilot in command, 164 in the last 90 days, 96 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNL, 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 19840324007279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840324007279A), Mar 24, 1984: Cessna 172RG, Greeley, CO, Destroyed. Severe vibration on climbout. Struck trees near airport trying to return. Prop blade broken. Based on gravel field.

## Other investigations on N6521R (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB BFO91DLQ01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91DLQ01), Jul 29, 1991: Gordorn Price Ultimate 10-300 (N6521R), Franklin, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: DELAY IN SWITCHING FUEL TANKS WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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