# NTSB DEN82DA164: Cessna 172N, N4642J, Durango, CO, August 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1982, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Location: 37.2645° N, 107.8741° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Durango, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2645&lon=-107.8741&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS STARTING HIS FLARE TO LAND WHEN A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED. HE REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR AND GOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT RUDDER WAS APPLIED, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT WENT OFF THE RUNWAY, CROSSED A DITCH, AND WENT INTO SAGEBRUSH. THE NOSEWHEEL COLLAPSED AND THE RIGHT WING TIP WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4642J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4642J-2019-05-20), registration cancelled 2019-05-20, S/N 17273658, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- 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: 17273658
- Airframe hours: 1058
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Clarence Willey
- Registered owner: Clarence Willey
- Departed: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM
- Destination: BDR, BRIDGEPORT, CT
- Airport: 5C00, Animas Airpark, runway 19, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 59 total, 49 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 187 °F

## 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 19820816038429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820816038429A), Aug 16, 1982: Cessna 172N, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost control of aircraft during flare and touchdown when gust of wind caught right wing.

## Other investigations on N4642J (3)

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.

- [NTSB GAA19CA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA081), Nov 12, 2018: Cessna 172 (N4642J), Inverness, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB DEN02LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA025), Feb 17, 2002: Cessna 172N (N4642J), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing factors were the crosswind and the pilot's fatigue from lack of sleep.
- [NTSB DEN00LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA129), Jun 30, 2000: Cessna 172N (N4642J), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot prematurely flaring the airplane for landing, resulting in a hard landing, followed by an inadvertent pilot-induced porpoise and loss of directional control. A factor was the fence.

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.

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