On July 4, 2024, a father and son were hiking to Devils Thumb near the Continental Divide when they saw a small plane almost crash into the ground below. The son, Tyler Dunn, was able to capture a video of the plane’s close call.

The plane was identified as a single-engine Cessna 152 rented from Rocky Mountain Flight School in Broomfield. The plane took off from Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield at 9:49 a.m. July 4, 2024, and landed safely at the Granby/Grand County Airport at 11:04 p.m., according to public records.

A records request under the Freedom of Information Act for documents regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s investigation of the incident revealed that the plane stalled while at 13,000 feet before it entered an uncontrolled descent. The pilot was able to recover several feet above the ground and was able to continue to their destination and land without further incident.

Investigators spoke with the owner of Rocky Mountain Flight School in Broomfield on Aug. 19, 2024, to learn what inspections to the plane were done after the incident. Investigators also conducted a ramp and aircraft records inspection. Rocky Mountain Flight School owner Greg Boom said this was the pilot’s ninth flight in the Cessna 152.

The pilot was offered a recommended training plan, which they accepted and completed at their own expense Aug. 24, 2024. The 6.5 hour class was taught through the Colorado Pilot’s Association and teaches attendees about flying in mountainous terrain. A copy of the graduation certificate was obtained by the FAA on Aug. 26, 2024.

The investigation report indicates that the pilot’s participation in the non-mandatory training addressed the nonregulatory safety risks and that investigators recommended no further action.