During an initial telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board, the flight instructor stated that during the flight over Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins, Colorado, an engine power issue had occurred. In an effort to avoid landing on the water or hitting boats on the surface, he elected to make a climbing right turn to the west, away from the lake, and the Cessna 172 hit rising terrain.
However, in a written statement provided by the flight instructor three days later, he reported that he and his brother (who is also a certificated pilot) were flying the airplane east of the Horsetooth Reservoir, between Fort Collins and the reservoir, and his brother reduced power to “observe more of the scenery.”
Shortly after reducing the power, his brother told him that he could not climb due to a jammed elevator. The flight instructor stated that he took control of the airplane and confirmed that the elevator was jammed, and he used power and trim to climb.
In an effort to avoid congested areas, they maneuvered to the reservoir and attempted to free the jammed elevator by “wiggling the flight control in and out,” which resulted in the airplane pitching down.
He told investigators that after adding power and retrimming the airplane, he elected to fly west into the valley to look for a landing area. Unable to out-climb the rising terrain, the airplane hit a tree and the rising terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
Both brothers suffered minor injuries in the crash.
A review of flight track data revealed that the airplane was about 6,550 feet above mean sea level (msl) when it crossed the east bank of the reservoir headed west. After it crossed about mid-channel, the airplane turned right, about 270° while descending to an altitude below 5,500 fee msl (floor of coverage). Due to being below the floor of coverage, flight track and altitudes ceased to record. When the airplane was reacquired, the position was about 1 mile south at an altitude of about 5,375 feet msl. The airplane traversed about 1.6 miles south along the reservoir before it turned west and climbed. The last recorded altitude was about 6,075 feet msl near the accident location.
Photographs provided by a witness show the airplane low over the water as it approached one of only three visible boats. At first, the airplane appeared headed toward the shore, but made a left turn toward the first boat. After making a very low pass over the boat, the airplane made a steep climb, followed by a steep right turn, and then low over the second boat. After passing the second boat, the airplane appeared to depart toward a valley.
An FAA air safety inspector completed an on-scene examination of the airplane. During the examination, flight control continuity was established from the control yokes to the elevator control surface with no binding or mechanical anomalies noted. A visual examination of the other flight controls revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
During a post-accident examination conducted by the NTSB, flight control continuity was established from the control yokes, through recovery cuts to all flight control surfaces with no binding or mechanical anomalies notes. The engine was examined, and no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while intentionally maneuvering the airplane at low altitudes, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
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This September 2022 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I trust their licenses were revoked for a minimum of 10 years. If their still interested in flying, they can start from scratch. Hopefully those two clowns will find some other means to win the Darwin award.
violation of 91.113, 91.119, added to reckless endangerment and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.
Six months in lockup, $10k fine, each.
What a complete waste of a Cessna C172 Skyhauk. I have always been wanting a Skyhauk and I and my girlfriend would be no longer having to be driving back and forth between Nebraska and Wisconsin and instead I would be having my girlfriend and I as a husband and wife team the both of us would be taking turns with flying the Skyhauk.
I’ll give the two credit, they put together a pretty consistent “story”. The video seems to tell a different story. I saw something similar over a lake in Tennessee one time. 172 going down the lake at about 10-15 feet judging from the shadow. The difference there was that the elevation was less than 2,000 ft.
There was nothing wrong with the airplane except for the loose nuts behind the yokes.
Low flying…….buzzing boats! What could happen. The biggest mistake is lying to the FAA.
This unfortunately keeps happening and they are both lucky they survived.
Yes it is a waste of a good 172 and our insurance rates will go up!……Sad!
Showboating!
Pictures of Horsetooth Reservoir do little to convey the ignorance these cowboys displayed while playing “pilot.” This is in what is called the foothills of Fort Collins. Had this been three miles West, the story would have read much differently.
Referring to these morons as “cowboys”, is an insult to real cowboys…
Hands-down, top candidates for a future Darwin Award in the “How Stupid Could You Be?” category.
The biggest mistake these “bros” made, was not getting their story straight before they talked to the feds…
What a waste of a nice 172…
The ‘POGO’ syndrome: We have met the enemy, and he is US!
The enduring genius of cartoonist Walt Kelly. I saw the original of that cartoon way back when, and wish I had cut it out and saved it for posterity. Question: What disciplinary action — if any — will be taken against these pilots? Reckless endangerment of the boat occupants plus ‘reckless driving’ causing their plane to crash and insurance payments to be issued forth. Just asking. Regards/J
I was wondering the same thing. The pilot / instructor’s last check ride was in an Embraer 145 Sim and he had over 2,000 hours instructing. His brother pilot still lived back home in Cairo.
Is this country great, or what ?