Undetermined · NTSB CEN22FA197
CESSNA 172 — Broomfield, CO
| Date | May 11, 2022 |
| Location | Broomfield, CO |
| Aircraft | CESSNA 172 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Approach-VFR pattern final Unknown or undetermined |
| Pilot age | 30 |
| Pilot total time | 220 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
- Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined
What happened
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.