# NTSB DEN90LA163: Cessna 172, N46593, Grants, NM, July 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1990, 11:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Grants, NM
- Coordinates: 35.150512, -107.829505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1505&lon=-107.8295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17973/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA163

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## 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)
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy
- Nose over, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT LOST CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GO AROUND. THE PLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, ENTERED LOOSE SAND AND NOSED OVER. THE PLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE PILOT WAS UNDERGOING RECURRENT PRIVATE PILOT TRAINING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. BOTH WINGS AND THE VERTICAL STABILIZER WERE DAMAGED. THE NOSE GEAR WAS SHEARED IN THE ACCIDENT, DAMAGING THE FIREWALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46593](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46593), registered now, S/N 17257372, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-57372
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4N 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kirtland Afb Aero Club (Usaf)
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GNT, Grants-Milan, runway 13, 5,320 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 209 total, 162 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 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 19900716026339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900716026339A), Jul 16, 1990: Cessna 172K, Grants, NM, Substantial damage. Swerved on landing. Tried go around but ran off runway into soft sand and nosed 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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