# NTSB DEN92FA077: Cessna 172RG, N4963R, Fairplay, CO, July 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1992, 07:23 local (13:23 UTC)
- Place: Fairplay, CO
- Coordinates: 39.21965, -105.800575 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2197&lon=-105.8006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92FA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA077

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S OPERATION AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR OBSTACLES IN RISING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE:  HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, DIVERSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR'S ATTENTION, AND THE RISING TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO GIVE THE PILOT A MOUNTAIN FLYING CHECKOUT.  A PILOT RATED PASSENGER WAS IN THE BACK SEAT OBSERVING.  THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND INDICATED HE WANTED TO SHOW BOTH PILOTS A CAMP SITE WHERE HE HAD CAMPED SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE.  THE INSTRUCTOR FLEW UP A MOUNTAINOUS VALLEY WHILE THE PILOT OPERATED A VIDEO CAMERA.  THE PASSENGER SAID THEY WERE FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND BELOW RIDGES RISING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AIRPLANE. EXAMINATION OF THE VIDEO TAPE CORROBORATED STATEMENTS MADE BY THE PILOT AND PASSENGER, AND DEPICTED THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO AND INCLUDING THE IMPACT.  COMPUTED DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,245 FEET MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4963R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4963R-1993-09-11), registration cancelled 1993-09-11, S/N 172RG0037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0037
- Airframe hours: 6881
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Emery Aviation College
- Registered owner: Technical Trades Institute,Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1992, 67 hours before
- Departed: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,639 total, 675 in this make and model, 1,473 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °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 19920724027429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920724027429A), Jul 24, 1992: Cessna 172RG, Fairplay, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew low into canyon looking for campsite. Stalled into trees on rising terrain. Mountain flying instructional dual

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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