# NTSB DEN91LA085: Cessna 172J, N9885J, Rifle, CO, June 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1991, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Rifle, CO
- Coordinates: 39.529399, -107.76921 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5294&lon=-107.7692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18099/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA085

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT IMPROPERLY FLARED THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING LANDING, THE STUDENT PILOT FLARED HIS AIRCRAFT AND LANDED HARD. THE AIRCRAFT PORPOISED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN THE PILOT EXECUTED A GO-AROUND.  ON THE NEXT LANDING, DURING ROLL OUT, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.  THE STUDENT PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 27 HOURS, OF WHICH 5 HOURS WERE LOGGED AS SOLO IN THE CESSNA 172.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9885J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9885J-2010-07-30), registration cancelled 2010-07-30, S/N 17273948, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172J
- 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: 17273948
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Corporate Aircraft Service
- Registered owner: Corporate Aircraft Service
- Airport: RIL, Garfield County Regional, runway 26, 5,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 27 total, 27 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19910616022739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910616022739A), Jun 16, 1991: Cessna 172N, Rifle, CO, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing went around not knowing impact bent prop and blew nose tire. Landed safely. Unsettled by traffic

## Other investigations on N9885J (1)

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 LAX03FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA100), Feb 23, 2003: Cessna 172N (N9885J), Ely, NV, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while flying in a box canyon.

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.