# NTSB DEN87LA128: Cessna 172I, N46231, Taos, NM, May 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1987, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Taos, NM
- Coordinates: 36.379383, -105.569999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3794&lon=-105.5700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA128

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
- Nose over, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT AND HIS CFI RATED PAX WERE PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AT THE LOCAL ARPT. DURING LANDING A WIND GUST PUSHED THE ACFT OFF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE TO THE RIGHT. THE RUNWAY SHOULDER WAS SOFT, A GO-AROUND ATTEMPT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46231](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46231), registered now, S/N 17257124, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172I
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2d) (registry code 42123, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257124
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chris Knox
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1986
- Airport: SKX, Taos Municipal, runway 22, 5,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 489 total, 54 in this make and model, 154 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870520014849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870520014849A), May 20, 1987: Cessna 172I, Taos, NM, Substantial damage. Lost directional control while practicing touch and go landings. Runway shoulder soft. Aircraft nosed 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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