# NTSB DEN87LA197: Cessna 172RG, N4709R, Aspen, CO, July 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1987, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.189437, -106.819244 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1894&lon=-106.8192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA197

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IN THE LOCAL AREA HE WAS DISTRACTED FROM CONCENTRATING ON HIS FLYING. DURING HIS LANDING APPROACH, HE FAILED TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR AND LANDED THE AIRCRAFT WHEELS UP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4709R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4709R), registered now, S/N 172RG0013, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0013
- Airframe hours: 2065
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aspen Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Andrew Doremus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1987, 24 hours before
- Departed: PGA, PAGE, AZ
- Destination: ASE
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ASE, Sardy Field, runway 15, 7,003 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 260 total, 8 in this make and model, 160 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE

## 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 19870728042619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870728042619A), Jul 28, 1987: Cessna 172RG, Aspen, CO, Substantial damage. Landed gear up due to distraction by thundershowers in vicinity. No aircraft malfunction reported.

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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