# NTSB DEN01LA024: Cessna 172P, N127FR, Leadville, CO, December 14, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 2000, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Leadville, CO
- Coordinates: 39.23928, -106.289932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2393&lon=-106.2899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA024

## Probable cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll.  A contributing factor was the snow bank next to the runway.

## Analysis

The student pilot said that this was his first solo flight, and he was performing a stop-and-go landing.  He said that during the landing roll, he let the airplane drift to the left allowing the left main wheel to impact a snow bank beside the runway.  The airplane cartwheeled to the left bending both wing spars.

## Factual narrative

On December 14, 2000, at approximately 0920 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172P, N127FR, was substantially damaged during landing roll at Lake County Airport, Leadville, Colorado.  The student pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured.  Leadville Airport, Inc., Leadville, Colorado, was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local solo training flight that originated approximately 15 minutes before the accident.  The student pilot had not filed a flight plan.

The student pilot said that this was his first solo flight, and he was performing a stop-and-go landing.  He said that during the landing roll, he let the airplane drift to the left allowing the left main wheel to impact a snow bank beside the runway.  The airplane cart wheeled to the left bending both wing spars.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N127FR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N127FR), registered now, S/N 17275292 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275297
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Leadville Airport, Inc.
- Registered owner: Robert P. Thacker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LXV
- Airport: LXV, Lake County Airport, runway 34, 6,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LXV

## 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 20001214028579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001214028579A), Dec 14, 2000: Cessna 172P, Leadville, CO, No damage. (-23) Student pilot drifted left in landing. CFI, who was watching, said aircraft was between center line and left edge of runway, taxiing straight after…

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

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