# NTSB DEN90LA045: Cessna 172, N3135J, Fort Morgan, CO, January 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1990, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Morgan, CO
- Coordinates: 40.259147, -103.790733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2591&lon=-103.7907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA045

## Probable cause

PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. HE SAID HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A SOFT FIELD. THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN NOSE LOW, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE PLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED. A POST-ACCIDENT ENGINE EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3135J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29369
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dean Hoffschildt
- Registered owner: Aero Nuts, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1989
- Departed: 3V4, FORT MORGAN, CO
- Destination: 3V4
- Airport: 3V4, Fort Morgan

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 153 total, 9 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900117000679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900117000679A), Jan 17, 1990: Cessna 172, Fort Morgan, CO, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed off airport nose low. Nose gear folded. Nosed over. No anomalies found.

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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