# NTSB FTW98LA061: Cessna 172N, N738LC, Watkins, CO, November 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 24, 1997, 16:28 local (23:28 UTC) - Place: Watkins, CO - Coordinates: 39.749568, -104.600967 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7496&lon=-104.6010&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20493 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20493/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA061 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undertermined reason(s). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - approach light/navaid ## Analysis After an uneventful local flight of about one hour, the pilot returned to the airport for landing. While in the landing pattern, the pilot noticed another airplane in close proximity to his, so he elected to maneuver his airplane for spacing. While maneuvering, the engine lost power. Attempts to restart the engine were to no avail, so the pilot made a forced landing on an access road near the runway. During the landing roll, the right wing struck an approach light T-bar. While the airplane sat on the ground, the pilot tried to start the engine. He was not successful. About 15 minutes later, after starting to walk for help, he returned to the airplane and tried starting the engine again. The engine backfired, then started. He taxied the airplane to the parking area. Postaccident examination disclosed damaged to the right wing, left wing strut, left horizontal stabilizer, and fuselage. The engine was later started by the operator and full power was attained. ## Factual narrative On November 24, 1997, at 1628 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N738LC, was substantially damaged when it collided with approach lights while landing at Watkins, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 Part 91. The flight originated approximately 1530. According to the pilot, after an uneventful local flight of about one hour, he returned to Front Range Airport for a landing. While in the landing pattern for runway 28, the pilot noticed another airplane in close proximity to his, so he elected to maneuver the airplane for spacing. While maneuvering the airplane, the engine lost power. Attempts to restart the engine were to no avail, so the pilot made a forced landing on an access road near the runway. During the landing roll, the right wing struck an approach light stanchion. While the airplane sat on the ground, the pilot tried to start the engine. He was not successful. About 15 minutes later, after starting to walk for help, he returned to the airplane and tried starting the engine again. The engine backfired, then started. The pilot then taxied the airplane to the parking area. The pilot later said the fuel tanks were full when he preflighted the airplane, and the fuel selector remained in the BOTH position for the duration of the 1 hour flight. Postaccident examination disclosed damaged to the right wing, left wing strut, right horizontal stabilizer and elevator, and fuselage. The engine was later started by the operator and full power was attained. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738LC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738LC), registered now, S/N 17270053, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270053 - Airframe hours: 2306 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flight Training Center - Registered owner: Kevin H. Behrens - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1997, 77 hours before - Departed: FTG - Airport: FTG, Front Range, runway 26, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 884 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FTG ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 19971124041159I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971124041159I), Nov 24, 1997: Cessna 172N, Denver, CO, Minor damage. Collided with approach lights landing short of runway. Reported power loss not verified. (-23) on November 24, 1997, at 1628 mountain standard time, a Cessna… 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.