# NTSB DEN91FA071: Cessna 172M, N80077, Wray, CO, May 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1991, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Wray, CO
- Coordinates: 40.070354, -102.220024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0704&lon=-102.2200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18023
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18023/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA071

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY BUZZING AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER HIS PARENTS' HOME IN A STEEP BANK. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY DROPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80077](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80077-1991-09-20), registration cancelled 1991-09-20, S/N 17266354 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266354
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Departed: MCK, MC COOK, NE
- Destination: PUB, PUEBLO, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- 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 19910517016359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910517016359A), May 17, 1991: Cessna 172M, Wray, CO, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Flying low over parents home. Stalled during steep bank. Impacted ground.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.