# NTSB DEN88LA057: Cessna 172N, N4897G, Duchesne, UT, January 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1988, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Duchesne, UT
- Coordinates: 40.100452, -110.489219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1005&lon=-110.4892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17441/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA057

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS PERFORMING A CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING FLIGHT. AT HIS FIRST STOP, DURING THE TAKEOFF PORTION OF A TOUCH AND GO LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND STRUCK A THREE FOOT SNOW BANK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE CALM AND THE RUNWAY WAS SNOW-PACKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4897G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4897G), registered now, S/N 17273444, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273444
- Airframe hours: 3632
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Colorado Northwestern Comm Col
- Registered owner: Colorado Nw Comm College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1987, 21 hours before
- Departed: 4VO, RANGELY, CO
- Destination: 74V, ROOSEVELT, UT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: U69, Duchesne, runway 34, 5,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 28 total, 28 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °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 19880122001179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880122001179A), Jan 22, 1988: Cessna 172N, Duchesne, UT, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on the takeoff roll and struck a 3 foot snowbank on edge of runway. 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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