# NTSB FTW95LA276: Cessna 150F, N8155S, Garfield, CO, June 30, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 1995, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Garfield, CO - Coordinates: 38.5503, -106.289527 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5503&lon=-106.2895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19481 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19481/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA276 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S DELAYED DECISION TO DEVIATE AWAY FROM THE DETERIORATING WEATHER. FACTORS WERE HIS INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND THE RESULTANT INADVERTENT OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE BEYOND THE CLIMB PERFORMANCE LIMITATIONS OF THE AIRPLANE IN MANEUVERING FLIGHT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - low ceiling - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flight to destination alternate - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor) - climb - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - terrain condition - roadway/highway ## Analysis AS THE PILOT APPROACHED MONARCH PASS (ELEVATION 11,312 FEET MSL), HE DETERMINED THAT CLOUD COVERAGE AHEAD WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO CONTINUE UNDER VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. AS HE TURNED THE AIRPLANE AROUND, IT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT RATE, AND HE MADE A 'HARD LANDING' ON THE HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE SERVICE CEILING OF THE CESSNA 150F IS 12,650 FEET MSL. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 11,777 FEET AT THE PASS. THE PILOT LATER SAID HE WOULD 'NEVER FLY IN HIGH TERRAIN AGAIN, AT LEAST NOT WITHOUT GETTING SOME GOOD INSTRUCTION IN MOUNTAIN FLYING.' ## Factual narrative On June 30, 1995, approximately 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N8155S, was substantially damaged during landing near Garfield, Colorado. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The following is based on the pilot/operator report. As the pilot approached Monarch Pass (elevation 11,312 feet MSL), he determined that cloud coverage ahead would not allow him to continue under visual meteorological conditions. As he "maneuvered the aircraft to avoid flight into IFR conditions, the aircraft began to lose altitude. It was as if the aircraft was caught in a downdraft." The pilot was unable to arrest the descent rate and he made a "hard landing" on a turnoff apron on the south side of U.S. 50, approximately 1/2-mile west on Monarch Pass. The nearest weather observation facility is 29 nautical miles west of the accident scene, at an elevation of 7,673 feet. Temperature there was 47 degrees Fahrenheit with an altimeter setting of 30.37. Based on a standard temperature lapse rate density altitude at Monarch Pass would have been 11,777 feet MSL. According to the Cessna Aircraft Company, the service ceiling (the altitude at which the airplane is unable to climb at a rate greater than 100 feet per minute) of the Cessna 150F is 12,650 feet MSL. The pilot later told an investigator that he would "never fly in high terrain again, at least not without getting some good instruction in mountain flying." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8155S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8155S), registered now, S/N 15061755 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15061755 - Airframe hours: 4069 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A42 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen L. Kowalewski - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1994, 40 hours before - Departed: MJT, MONTROSE, CO - Destination: 0V2, SALIDA, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,673 total, 1,250 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GUC, 29 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 19950630017259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950630017259A), Jun 30, 1995: Cessna 150F, Garfield, CO, Substantial damage. Approaching cloud obscured high mountain terrain. Turned back. Settled. Landed on highway. Reached service ceiling. ## Other investigations on N8155S (2) 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 WPR26LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA065), Dec 20, 2025: Cessna 150F (N8155S), Temecula, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB LAX68D0290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68D0290), Jan 20, 1968: Cessna 150 (N8155S), Mentone, CA, substantial damage 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.