# NTSB DEN88LA011: Cessna R172K, N736KT, Aspen, CO, October 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1987, 16:08 local (22:08 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.12968, -106.839859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1297&lon=-106.8399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA011

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE FLT WAS HEADED NORTHEAST TOWARD MT YECKEL WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR & DOWNDRAFTS & WAS FORCED INTO TREES. RPRTDLY, THE ACFT WAS FLYING OVER RISING TERRAIN IN A CANYON AREA AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 11,000' WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. THE COMPUTED DENSITY ALT WAS 12,500'. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL, THE PREDICTED RATE OF CLIMB FOR THAT ALT WAS 257' PER MIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736KT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736KT-1990-03-19), registration cancelled 1990-03-19, S/N R1722594 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722594
- Airframe hours: 1280
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richmor Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1987, 60 hours before
- Departed: ASE, ASPEN, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 221 total, 44 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 12 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 19871018076589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871018076589A), Oct 18, 1987: Cessna R172K, Aspen, CO, Destroyed. Encountered downdraft at 11000 feet in a canyon with 11765 foot peak. Unable to out climb rising terrain.

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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