# NTSB DEN89LA054: Cessna 172M, N80650, Erie, CO, December 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1988, 17:45 local (Dec 31, 1988, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.02013, -105.040046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0201&lon=-105.0400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17658
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17658/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE MADE A NORMAL PREFLIGHT AND ENGINE RUNUP PRIOR TO TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 33 AT THE TRI-COUNTY AIRPORT, ERIE, COLORADO. A NORMAL TAKEOFF WAS MADE BUT HE SAID THAT AS THE AIRCRAFT REACHED 200 FEET, THE ENGINE LOST ABOUT 400 RPM. WHEN HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80650](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80650-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 17266690, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172666
- Airframe hours: 4550
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Pierce
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 18, 1988, 59 hours before
- Departed: 48V
- Destination: SLN, SALINA, KS
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 48V, Tri County, runway 33, 5,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total, 5 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19881231057309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881231057309A), Dec 31, 1988: Cessna 172M, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Carb heat was applied and engine quit. Struck a ditch on landing. Carburetor icing.

## Other investigations on N80650 (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 DEN92LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA002), Oct 4, 1991: Cessna 172M (N80650), Erie, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL LAND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE: CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

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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