# NTSB DEN91LA087: Cessna 172M, N1241U, Keenesburg, CO, June 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1991, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Keenesburg, CO
- Coordinates: 40.100013, -104.510688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1000&lon=-104.5107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGING THE APPROACH, AND DISREGARD OF WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE:  A TAILWIND CONDITION AND THE PILOT'S ANXIETY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - incapacitation(motion sickness), passenger
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND AT HIS FARM AIRSTRIP AFTER HIS PASSENGERS BECAME AIRSICK.  HE WAS ANXIOUS TO LAND AND 'RUSHED' THE APPROACH.  THE APPROACH TO THE 5000 FOOT DIRT RUNWAY WAS MADE TO THE NORTH.  FINAL APPROACH SPEED WAS 80 KIAS.  THE WINDS WERE OUT OF THE SOUTH, BUT THE PILOT DID NOT CONSIDER IT TO BE A FACTOR SINCE THE RUNWAY WAS ABOUT 5000 FEET LONG.  THE AIRPLANE FLOATED A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE BEFORE TOUCHING DOWN AND IT BECAME APPARENT INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINED TO BRING THE AIRPLANE TO A HALT.  BUILDINGS AND POWERLINES PRECLUDED A SUCCESSFUL GO AROUND.  THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1241U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1241U), registered now, S/N 17266936, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266936
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Northern Colorado Aviation
- Departed: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Airport: NONE, Sauter Farm, runway 36, 5,000 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 335 total, 200 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N1241U (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 DEN90LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA185), Sep 11, 1990: Cessna 172M (N1241U), Parker, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRCRAFT POWER PLANT CONTROLS, RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

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.
