Accident Overview
On September 11, 2022, at about 1859 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172 airplane, registration N9049H, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain near Fort Collins, Colorado. The pilot and flight instructor sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Pilot Statements
During an initial telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board on September 12, the flight instructor stated that an engine power issue had occurred during the flight over Horsetooth Reservoir. He said that to avoid landing on the water or striking boats, he elected to make a climbing right turn to the west, away from the lake, and the airplane impacted rising terrain.
In a written statement provided on September 15, the flight instructor reported that he and his brother—also a certificated pilot—were flying east of Horsetooth Reservoir, between Fort Collins and the reservoir. His brother reduced power to “observe more of the scenery.” Shortly after, his brother said he could not climb due to a jammed elevator. The flight instructor took control and confirmed the elevator was jammed, using power and trim to climb. To avoid congested areas, they maneuvered to the reservoir and attempted to free the elevator by “wiggling the flight control in and out,” which resulted in the airplane pitching down. After adding power and retrimming, he elected to fly west into a valley to look for a landing area. Unable to outclimb the rising terrain, the airplane impacted a tree and the rising terrain, causing substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
Flight Track Data
Flight track data from L3/Harris OpsVue, which aggregates FAA data sources, was reviewed. The accident airplane was squawking a non-discreet beacon code of 1200, so positive identification could not be made. However, the data was consistent with the reported departure time and airport, ending near the accident location. The airplane was about 6,550 ft above mean sea level (msl) crossing the east bank of the reservoir westbound. After crossing mid-channel, it turned right about 270° while descending below 5,500 ft msl (floor of coverage). It was reacquired about 1 mile south at about 5,375 ft msl, then traversed about 1.6 miles south along the reservoir before turning west and climbing. The last recorded altitude was about 6,075 ft msl near the accident location.
Witness Observations
Photographs from a witness show the airplane low over the water as it approached one of only three visible boats. Initially headed toward the shore, it made a left turn toward the first boat, performed a very low pass over it, then a steep climb and steep right turn, passing low over a second boat. Afterward, the airplane appeared to depart toward a valley.
Postaccident Examinations
An FAA air safety inspector examined the airplane on scene. Flight control continuity was established from the control yokes to the elevator control surface with no binding or mechanical anomalies. A visual check of other flight controls revealed no anomalies precluding normal operation. A subsequent NTSB examination confirmed flight control continuity through recovery cuts to all surfaces with no binding or anomalies. The engine was examined and no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation.