# NTSB DEN85LA123: Cessna 172, N737DH, Garfield, CO, May 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1985, 07:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: Garfield, CO
- Coordinates: 38.550369, -106.289764 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5504&lon=-106.2898&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): 16668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA123

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - deteriorated (cause)
  - proper altitude - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ON THE EAST SIDE OF MONARCH PASS NEAR GARFIELD, CO. THE THREE OCCUPANTS, ALL PILOTS, WERE NOT INJURED. THE ACFT DEPARTED SALIDA, CO, LOCATED APRX 20 MILES EAST OF THE PASS. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB ABOVE 10300 FT. THE ELEVATION OF THE PASS IS 11312 FT. DURING A 180 DEGREE TURN TO REVERSE COURSE, THE ACFT IMPACTED AND SETTLED INTO TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737DH-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 17269334, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269334
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Shields Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1985, 20 hours before
- Departed: QV2, SALIDA, CO
- Destination: GUC, GUNNISON, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 73 total, 73 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850501017709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850501017709A), May 1, 1985: Cessna 172N, Garfield, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft would not climb high enough to clear monarch pass, altitude 11312 feet. Stalled trying to reverse course.

## Other investigations on N737DH (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW79FPM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FPM01), Nov 10, 1978: Cessna 172 (N737DH), Jenks, OK, substantial damage

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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