# NTSB DEN86LA244: Cessna 172, N63302, Aztec, NM, September 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1986, 20:10 local (Sep 1, 1986, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Aztec, NM
- Coordinates: 36.819198, -107.999145 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8192&lon=-107.9991&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): 17044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA244

## 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
  - airport facilities,wind direction indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT AFTER A LOCAL FLT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PLT ABORTED THE FIRST LANDING ATTEMPT ON RWY 04. DURING THE SECOND LANDING ATTEMPT, THE ACFT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY, STRUCK A DIRT BANK AND NOSED OVER. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM THE WEST AT 20 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 30 KNOTS. THE WIND SOCK AT THE AZTEC ARPT WAS TORN AND THE RWY LIGHTS WERE BELOW STANDARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N63302 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275416
- Airframe hours: 1850
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aztec Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1986, 74 hours before
- Airport: Q19, Aztec Municipal, runway 4, 3,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °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 19860831043549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860831043549A), Aug 31, 1986: Cessna 172P, Aztec, NM, Substantial damage. The student landed downwind, veered off the side of runway and flipped. Windsock and lighting repairs recommended.

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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