# NTSB DEN90LA057: Cessna 152, N25197, Boulder, CO, February 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1990, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Boulder, CO
- Coordinates: 40.040687, -105.369972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0407&lon=-105.3700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA057

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND SWERVE. PATCHES OF PACKED SNOW ON THE RUNWAY MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO REGAIN CONTROL AFTER THE INITIAL SWERVE BEGAN.

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS THIRD SOLO FLIGHT AND LANDED AFTER FLYING FOR 30 MIN IN THE PRACTICE AREA. HE SAID THERE WERE PATCHES OF PACKED SNOW ON THE ASPHALT RUNWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A SWERVE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A FUEL TRUCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N25197 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280529
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dakota Ridge Aviation
- Departed: 1V5
- Destination: 1V5
- Airport: 1V5, Boulder, runway 8R, 4,100 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19900216002329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900216002329A), Feb 16, 1990: Cessna 152, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. Swerved after landing. Began go around, over controlled, swerved off runway and struck a fuel truck.

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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