# NTSB DEN83LA074: Cessna 172N, N5434K, Colorado Spgs, CO, March 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1983, 14:47 local (21:47 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spgs, CO
- Coordinates: 38.990718, -104.850845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9907&lon=-104.8508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA074

## 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
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT MADE A STEEP AND FAST APPROACH TO LAND AND BOUNCED, LANDING HARD ON THE RIGHT MAIN AND NOSE GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN A SECOND TIME, IN A LEFT DRIFT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. WHEN THE LEFT GEAR WENT INTO A SNOWBANK AND THE PILOT ADDED POWER TO TRY TO GET CLEAR BUT THE NOSE GEAR HIT THE SNOW AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5434K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5434K-2002-08-21), registration cancelled 2002-08-21, S/N 17274108, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- 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: 17274108
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Usafa Aero Club
- Registered owner: Robert Farrell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 21, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: COS, COLO SPRINGS, CO
- Destination: AFF, USAFA, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AFF, Usaf Academy, runway 34, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AFF, 1 nm away

## 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 19830309006899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830309006899A), Mar 9, 1983: Cessna 172P, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost directional control on landing. Veered off runway into a snowbank and flipped over.

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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