# NTSB DEN88LA019: Cessna 152, N49209, Greeley, CO, November 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1987, 19:00 local (Nov 4, 1987, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Greeley, CO
- Coordinates: 40.440025, -104.670074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4400&lon=-104.6701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - landing lights - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - taxispeed - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,taxiway lighting - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PLT WAS TAXIING HIS ACFT TO RWY 9 FOR A NIGHT TAKEOFF. ANOTHER ACFT BEGAN ITS TAKEOFF ROLL ON RWY 9. AS A COURTESY, THE TAXIING PLT SWITCHED OFF HIS TAXI LIGHT SO AS NOT TO BLIND THE OTHER PLT. THE TAXIING PLT USED THE GLOW OF HIS WING TIP NAV LIGHTS TO SEE WHERE HE WAS GOING AND CONTINUED TAXIING. THERE WAS A SHARP CURVE IN THE TAXIWAY THAT THE PLT DID NOT SEE. THE ACFT TAXIED OFF THE TAXIWAY, DOWN INTO A DEPRESSION IN THE GROUND, AND NOSED OVER. THE WX WAS VFR BUT IT WAS A DARK NIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49209](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49209-2010-02-18), registration cancelled 2010-02-18, S/N 15281194, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281194
- Airframe hours: 3487
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air Link Training Center, Inc.
- Registered owner: James A Rutz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 2, 1987, 57 hours before
- Airport: GXY, Weld County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 63 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CYS, 44 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 19871103066139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871103066139A), Nov 3, 1987: Cessna 152, Greeley, CO, Substantial damage. Sharp curve in taxiway. Dark night,pilot taxied off side of the taxiway into a depression in the ground. Nosed over

## Other investigations on N49209 (3)

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.

- [NTSB FTW95LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA324), Jul 29, 1995: Cessna 152 (N49209), Raton, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE FLAPS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DARK NIGHT.
- [NTSB DEN89LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA042), Dec 16, 1988: Cessna 152 (N49209), Greeley, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN86LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA036), Dec 1, 1985: Cessna 152 II (N49209), Greeley, CO, substantial damage

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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