# NTSB CEN14CA055: Cessna 172N, N6303E, Loveland, CO, November 2, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 2, 2013, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Loveland, CO - Coordinates: 40.45111, -105.011108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4511&lon=-105.0111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 4, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88432 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88432/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88432 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA055 ## Probable cause A dragging right brake, which resulted in an un-commanded right turn, and subsequent ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The instructor reported that that the after touchdown the airplane veered to the right. He took control of the airplane and applied full left rudder and left brake. The airplane tracked straight for a moment before it turned right and departed the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane's right brake rotor revealed heat damage (bluing) of the rotor and substantial damage to the airplane's wing and fuselage. The instructed noted that the other pilot did not appear to make any control inputs that would have resulted in a right turn. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The instructor reported that that the after touchdown the airplane veered to the right. He took control of the airplane and applied full left rudder and left brake. The airplane tracked straight for a moment before it turned right and departed the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane's right brake rotor revealed heat damage (bluing) of the rotor and substantial damage to the airplane's wing and fuselage. The instructed noted that the other pilot did not appear to make any control inputs that would have resulted in a right turn. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6303E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6303E-2014-02-05), registration cancelled 2014-02-05, S/N 17272005, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272005 - Year built: 1978 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Low Pressure Aviation, doing business as Leading Edge Flight Training - Registered owner: Cate Kyle T - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KFNL, Loveland, CO - Destination: KFNL, Loveland, CO - Airport: KFNL, Fort Collins Loveland, runway 33, 8,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 34; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,436 total, 52 in this make and model, 5,294 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,543 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,216 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KFNL ## 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 20131102022879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131102022879A), Nov 2, 2013: Cessna 172N, Loveland, CO, Substantial damage. On November 2, 2013 at approximately 1545 MDT, N6303E, a Cessna model 172N experienced a ground loop on departure roll at Loveland ft. Collins airport (fln),… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 27, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88432. 628 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 628 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.