# NTSB DEN84FA259: Cessna 172, N7064G, Lyons, CO, August 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1984, 13:44 local (19:44 UTC)
- Place: Lyons, CO
- Coordinates: 40.239585, -105.3609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2396&lon=-105.3609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA259

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT PLUNGED TO THE GROUND AFTER BEING SEEN DOING A SERIES OF STALL/SPIN MANEUVERS AT A LOW ALT. ONE WITNESS SAW THEFINAL MANEUVER AND AFTER SEEING THE ACFT DISAPPEAR BEHIND TREES HE WENT IN SEARCH OF IT AND FOUND IT ABOUT 100 YDS SOUTHOF THE POSITION HE HAD CALCULATED AS ITS ACCIDENT LOCATION. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE INDICATED THAT THE ACFT HAD 'SPUN IN.' NO MALFUNCTIONS OF THE ACFT WERE INDICATED BY THE EVIDENCE. EVIDENCE OF THE AUTOPSY REVEALED NO SIGN OF INCAPACITATION; HOWEVER THE EVIDENCE DID SHOW THAT THE PLT HAD CANCER OF AN ADVANCED NATURE. THE FAMILY OF THE PLT SAID THAT THE PLT HAD BEEN AWARE OF HIS CANCER FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7064G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258764
- Airframe hours: 3054
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred G. Wetherall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1984, 7 hours before
- Departed: 2V2, LONGMONT, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,500 total, 1,134 in this make and model, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19840812039759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840812039759A), Aug 12, 1984: Cessna 172K, Lyons, CO, Destroyed. Witness saw aircraft stall and enter a spin. Aircraft impacted nose low and rotating. Pilot knew he had cancer.

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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