# NTSB DEN91LA103: Cessna 172N, N733BX, Watkins, CO, July 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1991, 20:00 local (Jul 22, 1991, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Watkins, CO
- Coordinates: 39.749622, -104.599349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7496&lon=-104.5993&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): 18115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA103

## Probable cause

THE PILOT SELECTED THE WRONG RUNWAY AND LANDED WITH A TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND WITH 40 DEGREES FLAPS IN WHAT HE DID NOT REALIZE WAS A 15 KNOT TAILWIND.  THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN TO CROSS MIDFIELD AT 100 FEET AGL, AND TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY ABOUT 100 TO 200 YARDS FROM THE END.  THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY LOCKED THE BRAKES, BUT THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A DITCH, AND OVERTURNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733BX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733BX-2013-08-27), registration cancelled 2013-08-27, S/N 17268178, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- 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: 17268178
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aurora Airpark, Inc.
- Airport: 01V, Aurora Airpark, runway 14, 4,694 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 30 total, 22 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BKF, 5 nm away

## 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 19910721040869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910721040869A), Jul 21, 1991: Cessna 172N, Aurora, CO, Substantial damage. Solo student failed to note windshift. Landed near departure end runway. Ran off.

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.