Cessna 172 N73670

Summary

On 11 May 2022 at about 18:35 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N73670 was involved in an accident near Broomfield, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 May 2022 at 18:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Broomfield, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (BJC)

Coordinates

39.9228, -105.1290

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N73670

Category

Airplane

Year built

1977

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN22FA197

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Flight track data indicated that the pilot was returning to the departure airport. The pilot had flown to a nearby airport and then performed several flight maneuvers in a nearby practice area. He performed a touch and go landing and then remained in the traffic pattern. The air traffic controller instructed the pilot to widen his downwind leg, due to traffic, and changed the landing runway to the parallel runway. The pilot performed a right turn to the base leg, and after the airplane was established on final, it abruptly turned to the north and descended rapidly. The airplane impacted an intersection about ½ nautical mile (nm) northwest of the approach end of the runway. The airplane impacted the ground and a traffic light pole and came to rest on a sidewalk. A postimpact fire ensued and the airplane was destroyed. Two witnesses reported that the airplane was not in an aerodynamic stall or spin. One witness reported that the airplane appeared to be in a “gentle” left-hand turn and descent, with about 15-20° of bank. They did not observe any flight control movements, nor was there any smoke or fire from the airplane. There were no abnormal engine noises, and the airplane was structurally intact while in flight. A review of local area security camera footage showed the airplane established on final approach. The airplane then turned abruptly to the north and descended rapidly before it impacted the ground. Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of meteorological data showed that low-level windshear was possible. Additionally, the estimated density altitude at the airport was 8,578 ft above msl at the time of the accident. However, based on the witness statements and the security camera footage, neither windshear nor the high density altitude appeared to play a role in the airplane’s sudden departure from the approach path. The reasons for the loss of control in flight could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.