# NTSB CEN11LA266: Cessna 172RG, N4914V, Wellington, CO, April 2, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 2011, 09:47 local (15:47 UTC) - Place: Wellington, CO - Coordinates: 40.813056, -104.985 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8131&lon=-104.9850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78760 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78760/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78760 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA266 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4914V-2013-12-26), registration cancelled 2013-12-26, S/N 172RG0414, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0414 - Airframe hours: 16397 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; 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 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110402004819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110402004819A), Apr 2, 2011: Cessna 172RG, Wellington, CO, Substantial damage. On 4/2/2011, N4914V, a CE-172RG landing at Owl Canyon gliderport, a private pilot, marie a boom, [privacy data omitted], acting as pilot in command, failed to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78760. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 597 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347114&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement: Statements from pilot and passenger/pilot (item 2, .PDF, 780 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347115&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement%3A%20Statements%20from%20pilot%20and%20passenger%2Fpilot-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.