Pilot Debrief

CESSNA R172K near Leadville, CO — 2008-09-29

Final reportDFW08LA238
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Date
2008-09-29
Location
Leadville, CO, USA
Airport
LXV
Aircraft
CESSNA R172K
Registration
N736LN
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor was demonstrating how to maneuver at about 400 feet to 1,000 feet above mountainous terrain using updrafts on the west face of the ridge line to improve climb performance. Another airplane on the same route, about five minutes ahead of them, had reported that they were getting updrafts that gave them occasional climb rates of up to 500 to 600 feet per minute. The accident airplane was headed toward rising terrain and climbing at approximately 400 to 500 feet per minute when suddenly the airplane quit climbing and the stall warning sounded. The flight instructor took over the controls, lowered the flaps, maintained full engine power at approximately 2,700 rpm, and made a crash landing at approximately 12,000 feet mean sea level on the upslope of the mountain. The airplane struck terrain with the wings level approximately 500 feet below the crest of the mountain ridge and came to rest inverted 50 feet from the initial impact point. A subsequent examination of the airplane showed no prexisting anomalies.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have avoided maneuvering near rising terrain.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 18 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents18

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