# NTSB DEN88LA095: Cessna 150M, N714BK, Garfield, CO, April 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1988, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Garfield, CO
- Coordinates: 38.549449, -106.290359 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5494&lon=-106.2904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA095

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FERRYING HIS ACFT FROM BURLINGTON, NC TO KELSO, WA. AFTER REFUELING HIS ACFT TO CAPACITY (26 GAL.), HE STAYED OVERNIGHT IN LAMAR, CO. HE DEPARTED LAMAR THE NEXT MORNING AT 0800. HE PASSED PUEBLO, CO AT 7500 FT., AND OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING FROM THE COLORADO SPRINGS FSS.  HE CROSSED SALIDA, CO AT 9700 FT. AND CONTINUED TOWARDS MONARCH PASS. THE PLT SAID HE REALIZED THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLEAR MONARCH PASS (ELEVATION 11,312 FT. MSL) AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN AROUND. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN, SNOW-COVERED FIELD AT THE 10,400 FT LEVEL, NEAR THE SUMMIT OF MONARCH PASS, ABOUT 2 MI SW OF GARFIELD, CO. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT OVERTURNED IN THE DEEP SNOW. STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE FROM LAMAR, CO TO THE CRASH SITE IS APRX 175 SM. COMPUTED DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE CRASH SITE WAS APRX 10,700 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N714BK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N714BK), registered now, S/N 15079048 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15079048
- Airframe hours: 3300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harvey E. White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1987, 25 hours before
- Departed: LAA, LAMAR, CO
- Destination: MTJ, MONTROSE, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,100 total, 400 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COS, 78 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 19880414009229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880414009229A), Apr 14, 1988: Cessna 150M, Garfield, CO, Substantial damage. PIC was too low to clear pass. Unable to climb or turn around due to altitude. Turned over on landing in a field.

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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