# NTSB DEN91LA094: Cessna 172P, N89900, Watkins, CO, July 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1991, 12:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Watkins, CO
- Coordinates: 39.750656, -104.599609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7507&lon=-104.5996&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): 18108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA094

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT MISJUDGING HIS FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT HAD JUST BEEN RELEASED BY HIS INSTRUCTOR FOR HIS SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT.  AFTER TAKEOFF, HE STAYED IN CLOSED TRAFFIC.  ON HIS APPROACH TO LANDING, HE MISJUDGED HIS LANDING FLARE.  WHEN HE ADDED POWER FOR A GO-AROUND, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  THE WING STRUCK THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED, AND THEN CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89900](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89900-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 17276016, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276016
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: P.C. Flyers
- Registered owner: P.C. Flyers
- Airport: FTG, Front Range, runway 26, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °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 19910701025269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910701025269A), Jul 1, 1991: Cessna 172P, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Bounced on hard landing. Added power for go around. Left wing hit runway. Aircraft cartwheeled and flipped over.

## Other investigations on N89900 (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 MIA94LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA028), Nov 25, 1993: Cessna 172P (N89900), Jacksonville, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR BY THE PILOT-IN- COMMAND RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.
- [NTSB MIA92LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA157), Jul 29, 1992: Cessna 172P (N89900), Valkaria, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND RESULTING IN FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND RUNNING OFF THE RUNWAY COLLIDING WITH A TREE.

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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