# NTSB DEN89LA103: Cessna P172D, N8562X, Crested Butte, CO, April 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1989, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Crested Butte, CO
- Coordinates: 38.869777, -106.979225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8698&lon=-106.9792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17694
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17694/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA103

## Probable cause

THE PILOT SELECTED A RUNWAY WITH UNSUITABLE CONDITIONS FOR TAKING OFF.  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT & A FRIEND FLEW TO ANOTHER ARPT IN THE LOCAL AREA. AFTER ARRIVING AT THAT ARPT, THE PLT CHECKED THE WIND SOCK & ELECTED TO LAND ON RWY 11. DRG THE LANDING, THE ACFT ENCTRD SNOW ON THE RWY THAT WAS DEEPER THAN EXPECTED. DUE TO THE SLOPE OF THE RWY, THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION (DOWNHILL) WITH A SLIGHT TAILWIND. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT WOULD ONLY CLIMB ABOUT 5 FT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT A 6 FT SNOW BANK & NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE ACDNT OCCURRED DUE TO WIND GUSTS FROM BEHIND & THE ACFT HITTING DRIFTS THAT SLOWED IT DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8562X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8562X-2013-07-10), registration cancelled 2013-07-10, S/N P17257162, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P172D
- Registry model: [Cessna P172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p172d) (registry code 2072202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P17257162
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4N 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clemons, Kopf
- Departed: GWS
- Destination: GWS
- Airport: 3V6, Crested Butte, runway 11, 4,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 190 total, 130 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890408006949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890408006949A), Apr 8, 1989: Cessna P172D, Crested Butte, CO, Substantial damage. Struck a snowbank at end of runway on a downwind takeoff. Aircraft then nosed over.

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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