# NTSB DEN91LA011: Cessna 172H, N2665L, Buena Vista, CO, October 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1990, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Buena Vista, CO
- Coordinates: 38.829914, -106.139289 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8299&lon=-106.1393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18051
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18051/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA011

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FLARE PROPERLY DURING LANDING. THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE IS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT MADE A HARD LANDING ON RUNWAY 15. ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WHO WAS SUPERVISING THIS SOLO FLIGHT, THE PLANE MADE A HARD LANDING, PORPOSIED, AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT. THE PLANE WENT DOWN A FIVE FOOT EMBANKMENT, NOSED OVER, AND CAME TO REST INVERTED OFF THE EAST SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. BOTH WINGS SPARS THE FUSELAGE AND THE VERTICAL STABILIZER WERE DAMAGED. THE FLIGHT INFORMATION PUBLICATION AIRPORT DIRECTORY WARNS OF A FIVE FOOT DROP ALONG THE EAST EDGE OF THE RUNWAY. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN WELL LEFT OF THE CENTER LINE, AND THE NOSE WHEEL IMPACTED HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK THE WHEEL RIM, BLOW OUT THE TIRE AND TUBE AND MADE STEERING DIFFICULT. CALM WINDS PREVAILED DURING THE ENTIRE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2665L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2665L), registered now, S/N 17255865, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255865
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Arkansas Valley Aviation
- Airport: 7V1, Buena Vista, runway 15, 9,000 × 48 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- 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 19901023046969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901023046969A), Oct 23, 1990: Cessna 172H, Buena Vista, CO, Substantial damage. Hard landing. Bounced and porpoised exited runway over embankment. Nosed over. Impact broke nose wheel on runway.

## Other investigations on N2665L (2)

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 CHI84LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA213), Jun 3, 1984: Cessna 172H (N2665L), Port Washington, WI, destroyed
- [NTSB NYC74AN022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74AN022), Sep 13, 1973: Cessna 172H (N2665L), Wheeling, IL, minor damage, 1 fatal

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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