# NTSB FTW94LA105: Cessna 150M, N233DB, Steamboat Sprgs, CO, March 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1994, 17:30 local (Mar 19, 1994, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Steamboat Sprgs, CO
- Coordinates: 40.469009, -106.820564 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4690&lon=-106.8206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA105

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE IN HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED STRONG WINDS ALOFT WHEN HE ENTERED A MOUNTAIN PASS AT 10,500 FEET MSL. HE THEN EXPERIENCED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT THAT CAUSED AN 800 FOOT ALTITUDE LOSS, PUTTING THE AIRPLANE BELOW THE RIDGE LINE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN AWAY FROM THE RIDGE BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN.  HE FLARED THE AIRPLANE TO REDUCE FORWARD AIRSPEED AND IMPACTED DEEP SNOW.

## Factual narrative

On March 18, 1994, at 1730 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N233DB, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain about 10 miles northeast of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  The private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot, the wind was strong when he entered a mountain pass at 10,500 feet MSL (mean sea level).  In his pilot/operator report, he wrote:  "I encountered a severe downdraft, causing me to lose 800 feet.  I was now looking up at the ridge that I was looking down on only seconds before.  I attempted to turn away from the ridge but it was too late.  I flared just before impact reducing my forward speed.  The plane came to rest on a fairly flat spot some 100 feet from the top of the ridge."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N233DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N233DB-1994-11-18), registration cancelled 1994-11-18, S/N 15079036 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15079036
- Airframe hours: 2288
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Willbur, Gerald R & Rosemary L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1993, 97 hours before
- Departed: SNY, SIDNEY, NE
- Destination: CAG, CRAIG, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 389 total, 127 in this make and model, 69 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBS, 12 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 19940318007199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940318007199A), Mar 18, 1994: Cessna STC150, Steamboat Sprin, CO, Substantial damage. Headwind and downdraft in a pass. Unable clear rising terrain tried turn around. Slowed prior impacting snow slope.

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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