# NTSB FTW94LA244: Cessna 172RG, N6086R, Englewood, CO, July 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1994, 09:58 local (15:58 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.580993, -104.860961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5810&lon=-104.8610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19117
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19117/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA244

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE THE AIRPLANE'S MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AND CLIMB CAPABILITY WERE EXCEEDED, AND A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## 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 - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND LIFTOFF WAS MADE HALFWAY DOWN THE 10,000-FOOT RUNWAY BETWEEN 60 AND 65 KNOTS. THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMAIN IN GROUND EFFECT AND INCREASE ACCELERATION, BUT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ACCELERATE NOR CLIMB BUT FLEW JUST ABOVE STALL SPEED. SINCE INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINED TO MAKE A LANDING, THE PILOT INITIATED A SHALLOW LEFT TURN TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND ADDED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS TO INCREASE LIFT. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND IMPACTED TERRAIN.  DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 7,496 FEET MSL.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 1994, at 0958 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N6086R, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in Englewood, Colorado.  The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report and an oral statement the pilot gave to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector.  The airplane was slow to accelerate during the takeoff roll, and liftoff was made about halfway down 10,000-foot long runway 17L between 60 and 65 knots.  The nose was lowered in an attempt to remain in ground effect and increase acceleration.  The airplane did not accelerate nor climb, and continued to fly just above the stall speed.  Since there was insufficient runway remaining to make a landing, the pilot began a shallow left turn to return to runway 28, added 10 degrees of flaps for more lift, and notified the control tower of his intentions.  The airplane stalled and impacted terrain.

The pilot reported, and the FAA inspector computed, the following weight of the airplane:

Airplane empty weight              1,652.59 pounds      Pilot and occupants                  730    pounds      Fuel                                 365    pounds      Baggage                               80    pounds         Total                           2,827.59 pounds

According to the Airplane Flight Manual, the maximum gross takeoff weight is 2,650 pounds.  Density altitude was 7,496 feet MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6086R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6086R-1997-03-06), registration cancelled 1997-03-06, S/N 172RG0078 (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: 172RG0078
- Airframe hours: 5136
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aspen Air Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 13, 1994, 7 hours before
- Destination: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 17L, 10,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 332 total, 14 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 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 19940722019149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940722019149A), Jul 22, 1994: Cessna 172RG, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Slow to accelerate on takeoff roll used half two mile runway. Unable climb. Tried turn back. Stalled. Density alt.

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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