# NTSB DEN86FA193: Cessna 152, N5121P, Pierce, CO, July 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1986, 23:52 local (Jul 11, 1986, 05:52 UTC)
- Place: Pierce, CO
- Coordinates: 40.630531, -104.750579 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6305&lon=-104.7506&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): 16834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA193

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT REPORTEDLY DEPARTED THE FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, DOWNTOWN ARPT AT 2151 MDT, JULY 10, 1986, ON A LOCAL STUDENT NIGHT TRAINING FLT. THE WRECKAGE WAS DISCOVERED AT O800 MDT, JULY 11, 1986, IN OPEN, FLAT, CULTIVATED TERRAIN. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE LOW, RIGHT WING LOW ALTITUDE. THE CERTIFIED FLT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PLT WERE FATALLY INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5121P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284881
- Airframe hours: 1824
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: The Pilot Center
- Registered owner: Charles R. Winchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 1986, 4 hours before
- Departed: 3V5, FORT COLLINS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,630 total, 1,905 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 3V5, 10 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 19860710048849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860710048849A), Jul 10, 1986: Cessna 152, Pierce, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wreckage indicates a stall spin accident. Area used for night training, including stalls. Lack of horizon a factor.

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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