# NTSB DEN90LA036: Cessna 172N, N75702, Broomfield, CO, December 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1989, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Broomfield, CO
- Coordinates: 39.830444, -105.060691 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8304&lon=-105.0607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA036

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE.  THE SNOWBANK 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, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT RPRTD THAT DURING A LANDING THE ACFT BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT.  SHE SAID SHE APPLIED OPPOSITE RUDDER, BUT THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RWY, HIT A SNOWBANK & NOSED OVER. NO PREACCIDENT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75702](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75702-2011-05-13), registration cancelled 2011-05-13, S/N 17267884, built 1976 (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: 17267884
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air West Flying Club, doing business as Wings Of Denver
- Registered owner: Airwest Flying Club
- Destination: BJC
- Airport: BJC, Jefferson County, runway 29, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 62 total, 7 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BJC, 1 nm away

## 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 19891228053719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891228053719A), Dec 28, 1989: Cessna 172N, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing. Improper recovery attempt caused aircraft to strike snowbank and nose 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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