Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 25, 1997, at 0945 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150D (tail wheel conversion), N4228U, impacted in a field approximately 1 mile northwest of the departure end of runway 29 at Fort Collins Downtown Airpark, Fort Collins, Colorado, during initial climb following takeoff. The private pilot and his passenger received serious injuries and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated he took off on runway 29 and that the airplane was climbing between 200 and 300 feet per minute when it quit climbing. He said he picked a field to land in but saw power lines in his path and lost airspeed clearing the lines. He further said that after clearing the lines he didn't have "enough altitude to make a good controlled landing."

A certified flight instructor who witnessed the event related to the Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) that he was standing approximately 3,500 feet from the departure end of runway 29 and observed the aircraft climbing at an altitude of approximately 100 feet above the ground. He stated that as the aircraft passed by, he noted that the trailing edge flaps appeared to be extended about 10 degrees and the aircraft attitude was 5 to 7 degrees nose up. He said that as he watched the aircraft, it ceased climbing and the nose attitude increased. About 2,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway, the aircraft had descended to about 50 feet above ground level and the nose attitude was continuing to increase. According to the flight instructor's observations, the aircraft then disappeared in "ground clutter" and a short time later he saw a cloud of dust. This witness stated that he proceeded to the crash site and when he arrived several people had already gathered and some were administering first aid to the two occupants. He said he "turned off the fuel, magnetos, and master electrical" and that emergency personnel arrived approximately 10 minutes later.

INJURIES TO PERSONS

Both occupants were transported to Poudre Valley Hospital, Fort Collins, Colorado. Both received serious injuries to the head and extremities as a result of the accident.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The 34 year old pilot held a private pilot license with a single engine land rating. He did not have an instrument rating. According to a copy of his medical certificate, which he provided, he held a 3rd class medical with vision limitations. The date of issue on the certificate was April 7, 1996. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot's last medical evaluation was conducted on April 7, 1993. The date of examination on the FAA records was confirmed by the doctor who administered the physical as April 7, 1993.

According to information provided by the pilot, his last Biennial flight review