# NTSB DEN89LA075: Cessna 152, N69117, Gill, CO, February 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1989, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Gill, CO
- Coordinates: 40.449012, -104.530723 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4490&lon=-104.5307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA075

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF THE POWERPLANT CONTROLS BY THE CFI DURING DESCENT THROUGH LOW TEMPERATURE AIR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AN ATP RATED CFI AND A DUAL STUDENT WERE PRACTICING SIMULATED FORCED LANDINGS OVER SNOW COVERED FIELDS. DURING A DESCENT, THE CFI SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD FULL POWER BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CFI LANDED THE ACFT IN A SNOW COVERED CORN FIELD AND THE NOSE GEAR HIT AN EMBANKMENT. THE ACFT BOUNCED INTO THE AIR FOR ANOTHER 100 FEET. ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR DUG IN AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69117](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69117-1989-07-19), registration cancelled 1989-07-19, S/N 15282493 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282493
- Airframe hours: 1926
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Northern Colorado Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 18, 1988, 60 hours before
- Departed: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Destination: GXY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,181 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 5,111 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °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 19890209002049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890209002049A), Feb 9, 1989: Cessna 152, Barnesville, CO, Substantial damage. CFI reported engine failed on practice forced landing. Nosed over in snow covered field. Possible carb ice.

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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