CEN11LA266

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172RG · Wellington, CO · April 2, 2011

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
April 2, 2011, 09:47 local (15:47 UTC)
Place
Wellington, CO
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N4914VCessna 172RG
Defining event
Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 19, 2011
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Central Region
Parties
FAA FSDO
FAA report
20110402004819A
Case key
78760

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the go-around.

Findings · 2

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Performance/control parameters: directional controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedCessna 172RG: 2 casesAll aircraft: 3,958 casesProbable cause
Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilotCessna 172RG: 5 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

On final approach to the runway, the pilot had difficulty maintaining centerline on the 15-foot-wide runway. The pilot requested assistance from the certified flight instructor (CFI) who directed a go-around. After the pilot began the go-around procedures, the CFI took control of the airplane and reduced the flap setting. The airplane was flown in ground effect as the airplane drifted to the left of the runway. The airplane was not at a safe flying airspeed to maneuver away from a gazebo and windsock. The airplane's left wing collided with the gazebo and the right wing collided with the windsock. The CFI performed a forced landing and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airframe sustained substantial crushing damage to both wings and the forward fuselage, including the firewall. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.

Factual narrative

On April 2, 2011, at 0947 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N4914V, impacted structures during a go around at the Owl Canyon Gliderport (4CO2), Wellington, Colorado. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot were not injured. The airplane sustained crushing damage to the left wing and buckling of the forward fuselage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by G&M Aviation Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport (FNL), Loveland, Colorado at 0915. In statements provided by the private pilot, while on the final approach leg to a 15-foot wide runway, she was having difficulty maintaining runway alignment and approach airspeed due to the shifting wind direction. The CFI directed a go-around and the private pilot began the go-around procedures to include raising the landing gear. The CFI took control of the airplane, retracted the flaps to 10 degrees and attempted to get the airplane to climb. The airplane continued flying in ground effect and drifted left of the runway. The private pilot reported that the airplane was in ground effect and did not have enough performance to maneuver away from a gazebo that was located approximately 145 feet from the runway centerline. The airplane's left wing collided with the gazebo and the right wing collided with the windsock. The CFI performed a forced landing on the airport property and the airplane slid to a stop on its belly. An examination of the airframe and engine by a responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact anomalies which would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Aircraft

Registration
N4914V
Reported as
Cessna 172RG
Category
Airplane
Serial number
172RG0414
Airframe hours
16,397
Engine
Lycoming O&VO-360 SER, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
G & M Aviation Inc
Registered owner
G & M Aviation Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · July 14, 2010 · 63 hours before
Flight plan
Unknown
Airport
4CO2 · Owl Canyon Gliderport, runway 01L, 2,000 × 15 ft, grass/turf

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
43
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
March 27, 2011
Seat
Left
Flight hours
214 total · 3 in this make and model · 113 as pilot in command · 12 in the last 90 days · 12 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Variable at 4 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2011, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.4 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.