# NTSB DEN85LA066: Cessna 152, N4925M, Canon City, CO, January 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1985, 18:50 local (Jan 20, 1985, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Canon City, CO
- Coordinates: 38.439292, -105.230316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4393&lon=-105.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16628
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16628/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA066

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES ON MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AFTER ENCOUNTERING IFR WX EN ROUTE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT UPON ARRIVING IN THE COLORADO SPRINGS AREA AN UNDERCAST PREVAILED. HE CONTACTED PUEBLO APCH AND DENVER CENTER AND WAS ADVISED THAT ALAMOSA, CO, WAS REPORTING VFR CONDITIONS. THE PLT THEN ELECTED TO FLY TO SALIDA, CO, DUE TO A LOW FUEL STATE. EN ROUTE THE PLT SPOTTED AN APRX 5 MILE AREA WHICH WAS CLEAR AND AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DESCEND INTO THE CLEAR AREA, HOWEVER, CLOUDS WERE ENCOUNTERED. THE PLT THEN APPLIED PWR IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLIMB BUT THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4925M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284492
- Airframe hours: 1140
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Howard
- Registered owner: Gnt Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1984, 89 hours before
- Departed: COS, COLORADO SPRNGS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 160° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PUB, 25 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 19850119003549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850119003549A), Jan 19, 1985: Cessna 152, Canon City, CO, Substantial damage. Penetrated undercast after vectors due to low fuel. Struck trees on mountainside during a 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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