# NTSB DEN87FA103: Cessna 172 M, N64415, Ellicott, CO, April 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1987, 11:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Ellicott, CO
- Coordinates: 39.030738, -104.289535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0307&lon=-104.2895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17105/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA103

## 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
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH HAND OPERATED RUDDER CONTROLS. THE PLT HAD AN ARTIFICIAL RT LEG. ON A PREVIOUS FLT THAT DAY THE PLT HAD ATTEMPTED TO SPIN THE ACFT BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL DUE TO LACK OF RUDDER TRAVEL WITH THE HAND-OPERATED CONTROLS. THE PLT WAS NOT FEELING WELL AFTER THE PREVIOUS FLT, WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE ARPT HE WAS REPORTEDLY 'VERY WHITE'. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PLT DRANK SOME COFFEE AND THEN DEPARTED. THE ACFT WAS SEEN DOING TOUCH & GO LANDINGS. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PLT PERFORMED SEVERAL TOUCH & GO LNDGS BEFORE THE ACDT. AFTER THE LAST TKOFF THE ACFT MADE A RT BANK TURN IN EXCESS OF 60 DEGREES AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL AND CRASHED. THE AUTOPSY REPORT REVEALED EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND 50 PERCENT OCCLUSION OF THE  ANTERIOR DESCENDING CORONARY ARTERY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64415](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64415-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 17265212, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265212
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marvin N. Tarter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: CO50, Ellicott, runway 17, 5,000 × 40 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 321 total, 321 in this make and model, 242 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19870418045379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870418045379A), Apr 18, 1987: Cessna 172M, Ellicott, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed shortly after takeoff. Aircraft struck level terrain. Right wing low. Nose low. Possible heart attack.

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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