# NTSB DEN93LA024: Cessna 152, N67492, Durango, CO, January 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1993, 11:46 local (18:46 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.270362, -107.880264 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2704&lon=-107.8803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA024

## Probable cause

POWER LOSS DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL.  A FACTOR WAS: UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE, WITH AN INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PILOT ABOARD, WAS FULL OF FUEL WHEN THEY TOOK OFF FOR AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT.  AFTER 45 MINUTES, THEY TURNED BACK AND WHEN THEY WERE ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND RPM DROPPED STEADILY FROM FULL POWER TO A COMPLETE POWER LOSS.  ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE POWER WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN DEEP SNOW AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  THE ENGINE WAS LATER FUNCTIONALLY TESTED AND IT OPERATED SATISFACTORILY.  THE OPERATOR SAID THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT FLOWN RECENTLY AND THERE HAD BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL SNOW FALL.  HE SUSPECTED THE FUEL MAY HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED WITH WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,water
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67492](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67492-2008-04-21), registration cancelled 2008-04-21, S/N 15281864, built 1978 (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: 15281864
- Airframe hours: 6507
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C(M) 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Durango Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Durango Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1992, 70 hours before
- Departed: DRO
- Destination: DRO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,040 total, 390 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 18 °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 19930128001089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930128001089A), Jan 28, 1993: Cessna 152, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Lost power. Landed in deep snow. Aircraft sat out in snow storms believe ice and water in fuel.

## Other investigations on N67492 (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 FTW95LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA196), May 14, 1995: Cessna 152 (N67492), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE AND IMPROPER BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY.

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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