# NTSB DEN91LA058: Cessna 172B, N6904X, La Junta, CO, March 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1991, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: La Junta, CO
- Coordinates: 37.979385, -103.540802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9794&lon=-103.5408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA058

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND THE RESULTANT INADVERTENT STALL. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - updraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE STUDENT PILOT'S SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT.  HE HAD MADE ONE TOUCH AND GO LANDING.  ON HIS SECOND APPROACH, HE ENCOUNTERED UP AND DOWNDRAFTS AND A CROSSWIND.  HE FAILED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AND ELECTED TO MAKE A GO AROUND.  THE PILOT FAILED TO RECONFIGURE THE AIRPLANE.  AIRSPEED DECAYED AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6904X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6904X-1991-08-05), registration cancelled 1991-08-05, S/N 17247804 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17247804
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sweet, Anthony E.
- Registered owner: Sweet, Anthony E.
- Airport: LHX, La Junta Municipal, runway 26, 6,850 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- 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 19910331007999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910331007999A), Mar 31, 1991: Cessna 172B, La Junta, CO, Substantial damage. Student second solo too high and fast. Told go around. Stalled on nose high power application. Heat on full flaps.

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.