# NTSB DEN86LA194: Cessna 120, N3099N, Riverton, WY, July 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1986, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Riverton, WY
- Coordinates: 43.029533, -108.410003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0295&lon=-108.4100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA194

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT STATED AFTER ACCIDENT '... WE COULD NOT CLIMB AFTER INITIAL TAKEOFF AND A PWR LINE WAS COMING UP SO I TRIED TO TURN RIGHT AND THE PLANE STALLED.' THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 7,136 FEET MSL. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT LEAN THE MIXTURE FOR TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3099N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3099N-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 13357, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13357
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard E. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1986
- Destination: SYRACUSE, IN
- Airport: RIW, Riverton, runway 28, 8,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 980 total, 275 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19860711032269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860711032269A), Jul 11, 1986: Cessna 120, Riverton, WY, Substantial damage. Aircraft stalled after takeoff as pilot turned to avoid wires. High density altitude. Aircraft over gross weight.

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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