# NTSB DEN89LA143: Cessna 172M, N80893, Boulder, CO, June 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1989, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Boulder, CO
- Coordinates: 40.020988, -105.249816 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0210&lon=-105.2498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA143

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE (PRIVATE RATED) DUAL STUDENT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI). A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) AND A PRIVATE RATED DUAL STUDENT WERE PERFORMING A FAMILIARIZATION FLIGHT. THE CFI SAID THE DUAL STUDENT MADE SEVERAL TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS ON RWY 26L, WITH WINDS ESTIMATED BY THE CFI AS BEING FROM 270 DEG AT 15 GUSTING 25 KTS. THE CFI REPORTED THAT DURING THE LAST TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT WAS ANGLED TO THE LEFT. THE PLANE DEPARTED THE RWY TO THE LEFT AND THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK A RWY LIGHT, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80893](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80893-2012-01-05), registration cancelled 2012-01-05, S/N 17266791, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- 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: 17266791
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dakota Ridge Aviation
- Registered owner: John Weisbart
- Departed: 1V5
- Destination: 1V5
- Airport: IV5, Boulder Muni, runway 26L, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 422 total, 61 in this make and model, 366 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890620016679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890620016679A), Jun 20, 1989: Cessna 172M, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. Familarization flight. Gusty surface wind. Landed in crab angle. Exited runway. Stabilizer hit runway light.

## Other investigations on N80893 (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 FTW95LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA110), Feb 6, 1995: Cessna 172M (N80893), Boulder, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S PREMATURE ROTATION.
- [NTSB DEN92LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA009), Nov 20, 1991: Cessna 172N (N80893), Boulder, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE SIGN.

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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