# NTSB DEN99LA085: Cessna 172L, N172KB, Gunnison, CO, May 25, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 1999, 11:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Gunnison, CO - Location: 38.5480° N, 106.9246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gunnison, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5480&lon=-106.9246&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46456 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46456/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA085 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush immediately after takeoff. Factors were the high density altitude weather condition, and the pilot's total lack of experience in type of operation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field - terrain condition - other ## Analysis The pilot said that after an engine run-up, he departed on runway 24 using full power. He said that at 'approximately 100 to 150 feet off the surface a vibration began from the engine, immediately began loosing [sic] airspeed, lowered nose to regain airspeed (set some flaps), gradually raised nose of the airplane, (checked settings) lost airspeed, lowered nose again, to regain airspeed, raised nose, continued to lose airspeed, began looking for a place to set down.' He said that he turned left approximately 90 degrees and then left another 45 degrees before he impacted the ground. The pilot reported that he had approximately 93 hours of flight experience, and this was his first flying trip to Colorado. A witness reported that the accident pilot 'porpoised the airplane during takeoff roll, and I could hear his stall warning horn going off.' Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the mixture was in the full forward position. At the time of the accident, the density altitude was calculated to be 8,734 feet. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 1999, approximately 1105 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N172KB, was substantially damaged following impact with terrain after takeoff from Gunnison County Airport, Gunnison, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that he performed a preflight inspection, and taxied to runway 24. After an engine run-up, he departed using full power. According to the pilot's NTSB accident report, at "approximately 100 to 150 feet off the surface a vibration began from the engine, immediately began loosing [sic] airspeed, lowered nose to regain airspeed (set some flaps), gradually raised nose of the airplane, (checked settings) lost airspeed, lowered nose again, to regain airspeed, raised nose, continued to lose airspeed, began looking for a place to set down." He said that he turned left approximately 90 degrees and then left another 45 degrees before he impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest inverted in a muddy field with the empennage "nearly" separated from the fuselage, and both wing spars were bent. The pilot said that he had accumulated approximately 93 hours of flight experience, and this was his first flying trip to Colorado. A witness observed the pilot landing the evening before the accident, and reported that he "stalled it from about five feet." On the morning of the accident another witness said the pilot "porpoised the airplane during takeoff roll, and I could hear his stall warning horn going off." Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the mixture was in the full forward position. At the time of the accident, the density altitude was calculated to be 8,734 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N172KB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172KB-2023-01-29), registration cancelled 2023-01-29, S/N 17260046, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17260046 - Airframe hours: 5536 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ken E. Blakney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1999, 64 hours before - Departed: GUC - Destination: 2DT, CHANDLER, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 93 total, 25 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GUC, 1 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 19990525041109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990525041109A), May 25, 1999: Cessna 172L, Gunnison, CO, No damage. (-23) The pilot maintains that on takeoff, the aircraft lost power and an emergency landing had to be made. [privacy data omitted] 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.