Cessna 172S CGKRA

Summary

On 26 July 2002 at about 18:35 local time, a Cessna 172S registered CGKRA was involved in an accident near Georgetown, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 July 2002 at 18:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Georgetown, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

39.6667, -105.9058

Aircraft

Cessna 172S

Registration

CGKRA

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Broomfield → Grand Junction

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN02LA083

2 people had minor injuries.

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning for a flight through high mountainous terrain, and the pilot committing himself to a mountainous flight path where terrain clearance was not possible. Contributing factors were the high density altitude weather condition, and the rising mountainous terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said he departed and planned to follow Interstate 70 to his destination. He said his cruise altitude was 10,500 feet, or "until higher was necessary." He said he was navigating with a World Aeronautical Chart (a visual flight rules [1:1,000,000] navigation chart). The pilot said, "after approximately 30 minutes of flight, I became aware of the narrowing of the valley and the significant rising ground elevation." When the Eisenhower Tunnel (11,000 feet) became visible, he "realized more altitude was required, but full throttle could only produce minimal positive climb." The pilot said he considered a 180 degree turn, but was concerned about stalling in such a tight turn. He "decided to try climbing through a cleared ski run, just left off I-70," but subsequently impacted rising terrain at 11,500 feet (14,992 feet density altitude). Both wings suffered rib and spar damage, the cabin overhead was bent, and the engine firewall exhibited crushing. The airplane's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) states that the service ceiling for this airplane was 14,000 feet.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.