# NTSB DEN90LA031: Cessna 172, N6251E, Colorado Spgs, CO, December 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1989, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spgs, CO
- Location: 38.8339° N, 104.8214° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Colorado Springs, CO, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8339&lon=-104.8214&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17872
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17872/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF WITH THE FUEL MIXTURE FULL RICH, WITH A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, RESULTING IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT SAID THAT DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER. HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. HE SAID THAT DURING LANDING ROLL, THE PLANE TIPPED TO THE LEFT AND THE LEFT WING, LANDING GEAR, AND PROPELLER WERE DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD NOT LEANED THE MIXTURE FOR THIS FLIGHT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS COMPUTED TO BE 8,000 FEET. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE PLANE WAS LOADED TO NEAR MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. A POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION SHOWED LOW COMPRESSION ON ONE CYLINDER; 1 MAGNETO WAS REMOVED, BENCH TESTED AND SHOWN TO BE OPERATIONAL. NO MECHANICAL EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6251E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6251E-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 46351, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46351
- Airframe hours: 3673
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward G. Givens, III
- Registered owner: Edward G Givens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Destination: COS
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private, commercial, military, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,100 total, 60 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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