# NTSB DEN86FA070: Cessna 152, N46193, Berthoud, CO, February 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1986, 17:25 local (Feb 2, 1986, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Berthoud, CO
- Coordinates: 40.299381, -105.079284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2994&lon=-105.0793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA070

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

STUDENT PLT RENTED ACFT FROM FLYING CLUB, ACFT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO APPROACH THE LAKE FROM THE SOUTH END AT A LOW ALT. ACFT STRUCK WATER WITH RIGHT MAIN LND GEAR AND RT WING TIP, AND NOSED OVER. THE WATER WAS DESCRIBED AS BEING 'GLASSY' AND THE SUN HAD SET. THE STUDENT PLT HAS 57 HOURS TOTAL FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46193](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46193-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 15283013, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283013
- Airframe hours: 3018
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald Alphin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1985, 35 hours before
- Departed: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 57 total, 57 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F

## 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 19860201001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860201001829A), Feb 1, 1986: Cessna 152, Berthoud, CO, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. A wing struck the water on a low level turn. Aircraft cartwheeled and sank. Occupants drowned in the icy water.

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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