# NTSB DEN86LA004: Cessna 177RG, N2578V, Aspen, CO, October 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1985, 12:46 local (18:46 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.189476, -106.819076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1895&lon=-106.8191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE FROM GLENWOOD SPRINGS COUNTY ARPT THE PLT INITIATED A CRUISE CLIMB TO FLY OVER A 12,093 FT HIGH MOUNTAIN PASS. HE ENTERED THE NARROW PASS AT AN ALT LOWER THAN THE SUMMIT, ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFT WIND CURRENTS AND WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB FAST ENOUGH TO CLEAR RAPIDLY RISING TERRAIN.HE ATTEMPTED A 60 DEG BANK TURN TO REVERSE COURSE WHICH RESULTED IN THE ACFT STALL WARNING ACTIVATING. HE ABORTED THE TURN AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2578V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0623
- Airframe hours: 2937
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Triple S Flying Svc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1985, 63 hours before
- Departed: GWS, GLENWOOD SPRING, CO
- Destination: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 98 total, 8 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 14 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 19851006049039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851006049039A), Oct 6, 1985: Cessna 177RG, Aspen, CO, Destroyed. Stalled while attempting to turn in canyon after realizing the inability to climb over high mountain pass.

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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