# NTSB DEN89LA166: Cessna 172, N2720E, Glenwood Spgs, CO, July 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1989, 19:00 local (Jul 8, 1989, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Glenwood Spgs, CO
- Location: 39.5060° N, 107.3091° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at KGWS SUMERS AIRPARK (GWS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5060&lon=-107.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA166

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE DUAL STUDENT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, CFI, FAILED TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE OPERATION.

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT (CFI) WAS INSTRUCTING A FOREIGN CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PLT WITH ONE PASSENGER ON BOARD. THE CFI SAID THE DUAL STUDENT WAS MAKING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF ON RWY 32, A 3,305 X 50 FT ASPHALT RWY, WITH WINDS REPORTED AS 030 DEG AT 10 KTS, GUSTING TO 13 KNOTS. THE CFI SAID THAT AT MID-FIELD, THE ACFT HAD GAINED 50 FT AGL ALTITUDE. HE SAID THE ACFT WAS STRUCK BY A WINDSHEAR AND IT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE CFI TOOK THE CONTROLS, LOWERED THE NOSE, AND ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE CFI SAID HE 'TURNED OFF THE ENGINE' AND 'ADDED FLAPS.' THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH 200 FEET OF RWY REMAINING. THE ACFT OVERRAN THE RWY, WENT THROUGH A FENCE, AND CAME TO REST 300 FT OFF THE END OF RWY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2720E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2720E), registered now, S/N 17271305, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 17271305
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Strand Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: GWS
- Destination: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO
- Airport: GWS, Glenwood Springs, runway 32, 3,305 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 789 total, 306 in this make and model, 643 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19890707063469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890707063469A), Jul 7, 1989: Cessna 172N, Glenwood Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Lost flying speed on short field high altitude crosswind takeoff. Aborted.landed on end runway,went off into a fence

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.