Airplane Abruptly Turned To The North And Rapidly Descended

Location: Broomfield, CO Accident Number: CEN22FA197
Date & Time: May 11, 2022, 12:35 Local Registration: N73670
Aircraft: Cessna 172 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On May 11, 2022, about 1235 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N73670, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Broomfield, Colorado. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

A preliminary review of track data indicated that the airplane departed from the Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (BJC), Broomfield, Colorado. The airplane departed to the southeast and entered the traffic pattern at the Colorado Air and Space Airport (CFO), Watkins, Colorado. The pilot performed a landing at CFO and then departed to the southeast. The pilot performed flight maneuvers to the south of Bennett, Colorado, and then departed back to the west to BJC. The pilot performed one approach to runway 12R at BJC and remained in the traffic pattern.

The air traffic controller instructed the pilot to widen his downwind leg before turning base for runway 12R, due to traffic landing on runway 12L. The controller then changed the landing to runway 12L and cleared the pilot to land. The pilot performed a right turn to the base leg, and
after being established on final for runway 12L, the airplane abruptly turned to the north and rapidly descended.

The airplane impacted an intersection about ½ nm northwest of the approach end of runway 12L. The airplane came to rest on a sidewalk after impacting the ground and a traffic light pole. A postimpact fire ensued and the wreckage was destroyed.

The wreckage was recovered from the accident site for a future examination of the airframe and the engine.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov