# NTSB CEN26LA210: Cessna 172S, N386SP, Colorado Springs, CO, May 29, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 29, 2026, 11:46 local (17:46 UTC) - Place: Colorado Springs, CO - Coordinates: 38.972473, -104.81725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9725&lon=-104.8173&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 15, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203094 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203094/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203094 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA210 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with runway signs. ## 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 172S, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was completing his third solo takeoff of the day. During the takeoff roll, he recognized that the flaps were still fully extended from the previous landing and subsequently moved the flap lever to retract them. The airplane veered left off the runway and struck two runway signs, then continued back onto the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N386SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N386SP), registered now, S/N 172S8283, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8283 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 1426.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Usaf Academy Aero Club - Registered owner: Usaf Academy Aero Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 2026, 51.6 hours before - Airport: AFF, Usaf Academy Davis Airfield, runway 16L/34R, 3,513 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 72.6 total, 27.6 in this make and model, 2.9 as pilot in command, 19.6 in the last 90 days, 7.9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KAFF - METAR: METAR KAFF 291755Z AUTO 19011KT 10SM FEW140 SCT200 21/11 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP057 T02080111 10208 20128 57021 $ ## 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 20260529005929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260529005929A), May 29, 2026: Cessna 172S, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Student pilot was starting his 3rd solo takeoff and full stop taxiback. As he started his takeoff roll, he noticed the aircraft wanting to get airborne prior… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203094. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 314 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20595273&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20595052&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.