# NTSB DEN88LA069: Cessna 172N, N4914D, Englewood, CO, February 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1988, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.580429, -104.860633 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5804&lon=-104.8606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA069

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - throttle/power lever,cable - movement restricted (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,cable - deteriorated (cause)
  - throttle/power lever - binding(mechanical)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS AT CENTENNIAL AIRPORT, DENVER, COLORADO. RNWY 17L, AN ASPHALT RNWY 8,500 FEET LONG AND 101 FEET WIDE, WAS IN USE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER ON FINAL APPROACH, THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD NOT MOVE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO FREE THE THROTTLE TO NO AVAIL. THE ENGINE REMAINED AT 1700 RPM AND THE AIRCRAFT UNDERSHOT THE APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ONE QUARTER MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN A FIELD. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION PROVIDED EVIDENCE THAT THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD DISINTEGRATED. PIECES OF THE COATING WERE FOUND IN THE OUTER HOUSING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4914D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4914D-1991-03-29), registration cancelled 1991-03-29, S/N 17272396 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272396
- Airframe hours: 2263
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wings Of Denver
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: APA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 235 total, 180 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 3 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 19880212002429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880212002429A), Feb 12, 1988: Cessna 172N, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Throttle jammed on final. Unable to add power to reach runway. Crash landed short. Plastic inner coating peeled off

## Other investigations on N4914D (1)

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 CHI80FEK13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FEK13), Jun 13, 1980: Cessna 172 (N4914D), Delphos, OH, 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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