# NTSB DEN84FA293: Cessna 172K, N78680, Aspen, CO, September 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1984, 16:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.189083, -106.819763 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1891&lon=-106.8198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA293
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA293

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A VALLEY AIRSTRIP IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, PLT ELECTED TO CLIMB OUT STRAIGHT AHEAD TOWARD RISING TERRAIN INSTEAD OF CIRCLING TO GAIN ALTITUDE FIRST (NORMAL PROCEDURE). APPROACHING MOUNTAIN PASS, ACFT WAS OBSERVED CLIMBING BELOW LEVEL OF THE HIGHWAY. NO ATTEMPT TO REVERSE COURSE NOTED. ACFT MUSHED INTO TERRAIN. PLT CITED ADVERSE WINDS AT THE PASS. INVESTIGATION SHOWED DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 14664 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N78680 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-57717
- Airframe hours: 2803
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1LD 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Mountain View Airmotive
- Registered owner: James A. Lembo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 4, 1984, 18 hours before
- Departed: ASE, ASPEN, CO
- Destination: ALAMOSA, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,986 total, 39 in this make and model, 4,869 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 13 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 19840917052749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840917052749A), Sep 17, 1984: Cessna 172K, Aspen, CO, Substantial damage. Illegal charter flilght with no 135 certificate. Flew through high mountain pass, stalled trying to climb out.

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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