# NTSB DEN89LA212: Cessna 172N, N734VH, Burlington, CO, September 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1989, 16:48 local (22:48 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, CO
- Coordinates: 39.299972, -102.270225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3000&lon=-102.2702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA212

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.   THE SOFT TERRAIN WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT SAID HE INADVERTENTLY HELD RIGHT RUDDER, WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, AND THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED ON THE GRASS FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, THEN IT ENCOUNTERED A PLOWED FIELD AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734VH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734VH-2019-06-12), registration cancelled 2019-06-12, S/N 17269145, built 1977 (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: 17269145
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2ADT 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Burlington Aviation
- Departed: 5C0
- Destination: 5C0
- Airport: SCO, Kit Carson City, runway 15, 5,200 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19890907034289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890907034289A), Sep 7, 1989: Cessna 172N, Burlington, CO, Substantial damage. Student held right rudder on touch and go takeoff. Ran off right side of runway and nosed over in plowed field.

## Other investigations on N734VH (1)

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 CEN18LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA056), Nov 22, 2017: Cessna 172N (N734VH), Maple Lake, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.

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.