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NTSB Report
April 18, 1987 · Cessna 172 M · N64415
Ellicott, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Ellicott, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 172 M
Tail Number
N64415
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN87FA103
THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH HAND OPERATED RUDDER CONTROLS. THE PLT HAD AN ARTIFICIAL RT LEG. ON A PREVIOUS FLT THAT DAY THE PLT HAD ATTEMPTED TO SPIN THE ACFT BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL DUE TO LACK OF RUDDER TRAVEL WITH THE HAND-OPERATED CONTROLS. THE PLT WAS NOT FEELING WELL AFTER THE PREVIOUS FLT, WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE ARPT HE WAS REPORTEDLY 'VERY WHITE'. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PLT DRANK SOME COFFEE AND THEN DEPARTED. THE ACFT WAS SEEN DOING TOUCH & GO LANDINGS. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PLT PERFORMED SEVERAL TOUCH & GO LNDGS BEFORE THE ACDT. AFTER THE LAST TKOFF THE ACFT MADE A RT BANK TURN IN EXCESS OF 60 DEGREES AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL AND CRASHED. THE AUTOPSY REPORT REVEALED EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND 50 PERCENT OCCLUSION OF THE ANTERIOR DESCENDING CORONARY ARTERY.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH HAND OPERATED RUDDER CONTROLS. THE PLT HAD AN ARTIFICIAL RT LEG. ON A PREVIOUS FLT THAT DAY THE PLT HAD ATTEMPTED TO SPIN THE ACFT BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL DUE TO LACK OF RUDDER TRAVEL WITH THE HAND-OPERATED CONTROLS. THE PLT WAS NOT FEELING WELL AFTER THE PREVIOUS FLT, WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE ARPT HE WAS REPORTEDLY 'VERY WHITE'. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PLT DRANK SOME COFFEE AND THEN DEPARTED. THE ACFT WAS SEEN DOING TOUCH & GO LANDINGS. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PLT PERFORMED SEVERAL TOUCH & GO LNDGS BEFORE THE ACDT. AFTER THE LAST TKOFF THE ACFT MADE A RT BANK TURN IN EXCESS OF 60 DEGREES AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL AND CRASHED. THE AUTOPSY REPORT REVEALED EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND 50 PERCENT OCCLUSION OF THE ANTERIOR DESCENDING CORONARY ARTERY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:05 MDT
Nearest AirportELLICOTT (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172 M
Tail NumberN64415
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT