# NTSB DEN83LA064: Cessna 172N, N5802J, Durango, CO, February 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1983, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.269802, -107.880149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2698&lon=-107.8801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA064

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WENT OUT OF CONTROL DURING AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND AND CONTACTED SNOW COVERED TERRAIN WHERE IT NOSED OVER. THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED GUSTY CROSS-WINDS AT TOUCHDOWN DURING LANDING AND STARTED A GO-AROUND. THE GO-AROUND ATTEMPT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AS THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND OFF THE RUNWAY AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL IN THE SNOW. THE PILOT SAID SHE FOUND OUT AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT A RETENTION WALL ABEAM AND TO THE LEFT OF THE ACCIDENT SITE CREATE HAZARDOUS AND TURBULENT WINDS. IF SHE HAD BEEN AWARE OF THIS SHE COULD HAVE LANDED FARTHER DOWN THE RUNWAY TO AVOID THIS TURBULENCE, SHE SAID.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5802J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5802J-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 17273839, built 1980 (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: 17273839
- Airframe hours: 777
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth C. Martin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1982, 84 hours before
- Departed: GUP, GALLUP, NM
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: DRO, Durango-La Plata, runway 2, 9,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 205 total, 29 in this make and model, 117 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19830219004619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830219004619A), Feb 19, 1983: Cessna 172N, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Encountered severe gusty crosswind on landing. Struck the snow covered terrain on attempted go around. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N5802J (1)

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 WPR13CA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA152), Mar 17, 2013: Cessna 172N (N5802J), Gila Bend, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around.

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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