# Accident 20250127000659A: Cessna 172S, Usafa Colorado, CO, January 27, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 27, 2025, 09:30 local time
- Place: Usafa Colorado, CO
- Airport: Usaf Academy Afld
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.9734° N, 104.8200° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9734&lon=-104.8200&mi=10
- Aircraft: N51387, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51387) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172S (registry code 2072439, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (registry code 41597, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 12,046 total, 142 in this make and model, 61 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN25LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA088) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250127000659A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON JANUARY 27, 2025, A CESSNA 172S, INCURRED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE LANDING TOUCHDOWN ON RUNWAY 34R AT THE USAFA DAVIS AIRFIELD (KAFF). AT APPROXIMATELY 150 ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL), THE PIC EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT SINK RATE AND A 10 KNOT LOSS OF AIRSPEED. THE PIC ADDED POWER TO ARREST THE DESCENT RATE, BUT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED WITH A SIGNIFICANT DESCENT RATE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR, BOUNCED 3 TO 4 FEET IN THE AIR, THEN SETTLED BACK ON THE GROUND ON ALL THREE WHEELS AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE RUNWAY. THE CREW DID NOT NOTICE ANY DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT AT THIS POINT SUCH AS BLOWN TIRES OR A PROP STRIKE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS TAXIED BACK TO THE RAMP AND WRITTEN UP FOR A HARD LANDING. DURING THE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION IT REVEALED FIREWALL BUCKLING AND DAMAGE TO THE REAR BOTTOM OF THE EMPENNAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN25LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA088), Jan 27, 2025: Cessna 172S (N51387), Air Force Academy, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during final approach after encountering an unexpected windshear.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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