# NTSB DEN85LA224: Cessna 172 M, N9880V, Aurora, CO, August 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1985, 18:35 local (Aug 19, 1985, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, CO
- Location: 39.7294° N, 104.8319° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Aurora, CO, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7294&lon=-104.8319&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA224

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,wing flap control - other (cause)
  - raising of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - , pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON RUNWAY 14. HE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND BECAUSE THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER AND RAISED THE FLAPS. BECAUSE OF THE FLAP SWITCH DESIGN, WHEN THE PILOT PUT THE FLAP SWITCH IN THE UP POSITION, THE FLAPS RAISED TO THE FULL UP POSITION. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION FROM RAISING THE FLAPS, SETTLED TO THE GROUND AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9880V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9880V-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N 17264543, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264543
- Airframe hours: 2914
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Petroroyal Corporration
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1985, 44 hours before
- Airport: O1V, Aurora, runway 14, 5,200 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 20 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN, 10 nm away

## Other investigations on N9880V (2)

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 ATL06CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA057), Mar 30, 2006: Cessna 172M (N9880V), Newnan, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on the landing roll out, resulting in the airplane veering off the right side of the runway and colliding with an airport runway sign.
- [NTSB MIA99LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA207), Jul 30, 1999: Cessna 172M (N9880V), Pierson, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the flight instructor's (pilot in command) failure to achieve the proper touch down point, his improper decision to continue the touch and go, and failure to abort the takeoff in sufficient time,…

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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