# NTSB DEN90LA144: Cessna C-152, N757KL, Golden, CO, June 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1990, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Golden, CO
- Coordinates: 39.729454, -105.209594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7295&lon=-105.2096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA144

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE DATA. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE FACT THAT AIRPLANE CLIMB PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY WAS EXCEEDED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT RENTED N757KL FROM A BASE OPERATOR AT LONGMONT, COLORADO, TO TAKE HIS FRIEND ON A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT. WHILE FLYING IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF A CANYON, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT HE WAS LOSING ALTITUDE. HE SAID THAT HE CHECKED HIS INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. HE SAID THAT JUST BEFORE IMPACT, HE PUT DOWN FULL FLAPS AND STALLED THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND AND NOSED OVER. HE ESTIMATED THE TEMPERATURE WAS 80 DEGREES. THE ACCIDENT SITE ELEVATION WAS 8000 FEET DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757KL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757KL-1991-05-16), registration cancelled 1991-05-16, S/N 15279800 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15279800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clifford W. Judson, doing business as Judson Flying Service
- Departed: 2V2, LONGMONT, CO
- Destination: 2V2

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 117 total, 71 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BJC, 15 nm away

## 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 19900624022069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900624022069A), Jun 24, 1990: Cessna 152, Golden, CO, Substantial damage. Reported downdraft flying low in a canyon. Struck ground. Nosed over. High density altitude and hot day factors.

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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