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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 15, 1983 · Cessna 172K · N84631

Dove Creek, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 15, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Dove Creek, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 172K
Tail Number
N84631
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN83LA061

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A LOW PASS OVER THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MADE TWO LOW PASSES OVER THE RWY DURING THE 2ND PASS 'THE ACFT WAS IN GROUND, EFFECT WITH MILD UP AND DOWN DRAFTS USING MINIMAL POWER SETTING.' THE LEFT WING WAS DOWN DUE TO LEFT CROSSWIND. THE PILOT WAS FLYING FROM THE RT. SEAT AND 1ST LOOKED OUT THE RT WINDOW. 'WE WERE 3 TO 4 FT ABOVE THE SNOW AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH. I LOOKED TO THE FRONT THEN TO MY LEFT. THE ACFT WENT INTO AN ABRUPT NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE RT WING HIT THEN CARTWHEELED TO THE LEFT.' IN A WRITTEN REPORT THE PILOT WROTE, 'WHEN I MADE THE 2ND PASS I SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER WITH 5 TO 10 KTS MORE AIRSPEED.'

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A LOW PASS OVER THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MADE TWO LOW PASSES OVER THE RWY DURING THE 2ND PASS 'THE ACFT WAS IN GROUND, EFFECT WITH MILD UP AND DOWN DRAFTS USING MINIMAL POWER SETTING.' THE LEFT WING WAS DOWN DUE TO LEFT CROSSWIND. THE PILOT WAS FLYING FROM THE RT. SEAT AND 1ST LOOKED OUT THE RT WINDOW. 'WE WERE 3 TO 4 FT ABOVE THE SNOW AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH. I LOOKED TO THE FRONT THEN TO MY LEFT. THE ACFT WENT INTO AN ABRUPT NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE RT WING HIT THEN CARTWHEELED TO THE LEFT.' IN A WRITTEN REPORT THE PILOT WROTE, 'WHEN I MADE THE 2ND PASS I SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER WITH 5 TO 10 KTS MORE AIRSPEED.'

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:35 MST
Nearest AirportDove Creek (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width135 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172K
Tail NumberN84631
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2G · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 6 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data