# NTSB DEN90LA126: Cessna 172, N2723E, Boulder, CO, June 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1990, 20:00 local (Jun 7, 1990, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Boulder, CO
- Location: 40.0244° N, 105.2513° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boulder, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0244&lon=-105.2513&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA126

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO TOUCH DOWN AT THE PROPER POINT, HIS MISJUDGMENT OF THE DISTANCE REQUIRED FOR TAKEOFF FOLLOWING THE TOUCH AND GO, AND HIS DELAYED DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - touch-and-go - attempted, pilot in command
  - proper touchdown point - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear,nose gear - failure,total

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS PERFORMING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 08. HE HAD COMPLETED ONE LANDING AND 'LANDED A BIT TOO LONG' ON THE SECOND. HE REALIZED HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH RUNWAY REMAINING TO TAKEOFF AND RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND APPLIED 'HEAVY' BRAKING. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT RECEIVED HIS PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2723E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2723E), registered now, S/N 17271306, 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: 17271306
- Airframe hours: 2520
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thompson, John
- Registered owner: Gordon L Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1990, 78 hours before
- Airport: 1V5, Boulder Municipal, runway 8, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 78 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 9 nm away

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.