# NTSB DEN86LA251: Cessna 172K, N79910, Monte Vista, CO, September 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1986, 11:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Monte Vista, CO
- Coordinates: 37.570724, -106.139915 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5707&lon=-106.1399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17049/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA251

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vref) - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - below, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT DEPARTED WINSLOW, AZ, AND WAS EN ROUTE TO ERIE, CO, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PLT SAID HE DECIDED TO DIVERT TO MONTE VISTA TO 'TAKE A BREAK' AND VISIT WITH HIS PARENTS WHO LIVED NEARBY. THE PLT SAID THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE WITH SOME LIGHT TURBULENCE. THE PLT SAID THAT AS HE APPROACHED RWY 34 (2100 FT X 50 FT, DIRT), HE ENCOUNTERED A HIGH SINK RATE AND THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY EDGE. THE MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE RWY LIP, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE LANDING GEAR BULKHEAD AND FUSELAGE SKIN. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO TAXI THE ACFT TO THE RAMP. ANOTHER RWY (O1-19/6000 FT X 50 FT, ASPHALT) WAS AVAILABLE FOR LANDINGS. THE PLT'S LAST BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN AUGUST, 1984.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79910](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79910-2025-05-04), registration cancelled 2025-05-04, S/N 17258243, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258243
- Airframe hours: 2792
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Custom Design Homes, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1986, 40 hours before
- Departed: INW, WINSLOW, AZ
- Destination: 48V, ERIE, CO
- Airport: 08V, San Luis Valley, runway 34, 2,100 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 124 total, 41 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19860907045219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860907045219A), Sep 7, 1986: Cessna 172K, Monte Vista, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed short of runway, damaging landing gear. Density altitude was 10305 feet.

## Other investigations on N79910 (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 WPR25LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA082), Jan 23, 2025: Cessna 172K (N79910), Columbia, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB IAD74DLJ37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74DLJ37), Apr 6, 1974: Cessna 172 (N79910), Oxford, NC, substantial damage

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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