# NTSB DEN87LA020: Cessna 120, N3004N, Peyton, CO, November 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1986, 07:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Peyton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.029453, -104.480026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0295&lon=-104.4800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17150
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17150/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- Gear collapsed, takeoff

## Analysis

NC3004N, REGISTERED TO THE PLT, GROUND LOOPED DURING TAKEOFF IN A RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND, WITH A CHECK PLT ABOARD. THE PLT SAID THAT UPON ROTATION HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE FLT.HE ABRUPTLY REDUCED THE POWER, THE ACFT SETTLED TO THE GROUND AND GROUND LOOPED. THE LEFT GEAR STRUCK A KNOLL AND COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3004N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3004N-2012-03-15), registration cancelled 2012-03-15, S/N 13262, 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: 13262
- Airframe hours: 4979
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-F12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert C. Hewitt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1986, 8 hours before
- Departed: 00V, PEYTON, CO
- Airport: OOV, Falcon-Meadow Lake, runway 15, 4,150 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 322 total, 150 in this make and model, 258 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 24 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19861115058429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861115058429A), Nov 15, 1986: Cessna 120, Peyton, CO, Substantial damage. The aircraft lost airspeed after liftoff due to shifting winds. Takeoff was started with a tailwind.

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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