# NTSB DEN91LA104: Cessna 152, N24204, Fountain, CO, July 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1991, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Fountain, CO
- Coordinates: 38.659259, -104.689056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6593&lon=-104.6891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA104

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO MAKE A LANDING. FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT INCLUDED LOW CEILING, OBSCURATION, FOG, AND DRIZZLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN HIRED TO FERRY THE RECENTLY PURCHASED AIRPLANE FROM SANTA BARBARA, CA, TO AURORA, CO.  HE SAID HE LAST PURCHASED FUEL IN LAS VEGAS, NM, AND FLEW TO RATON, NM, WHERE HE SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE AIRPLANE.  HE DEPARTED RATON AT 0700 THE NEXT MORNING.  NEAR COLORADO SPRINGS, HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILING, OBSCURATION, FOG AND DRIZZLE.  HE REVERSED COURSE BUT WEATHER CONDITIONS DETERIORATED.  NOT BEING INSTRUMENT RATED, HE ELECTED TO LAND ATOP A MESA. DURING THE ROLLOUT, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A RUT AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  THE PILOT DID NOT GET A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24204](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24204-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 15280148, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280148
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Jerry B. Ehrich
- Registered owner: Jerry B. Ehrich
- Departed: RTN, RATON, NM
- Destination: 01V, WATKINS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 215 total, 42 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °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 19910724051659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910724051659A), Jul 24, 1991: Cessna 152, Fountain, CO, Substantial damage. Encountered fog and drizzle. Made 180 turn. Still in fog, landed on a mesa. Nose gear folded. Swung around,bent wing

## Other investigations on N24204 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI78FEC14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEC14), Feb 6, 1978: Cessna 152 (N24204), Fraser, MI, substantial damage

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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