# NTSB DEN92LA002: Cessna 172M, N80650, Erie, CO, October 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1991, 18:35 local (Oct 4, 1991, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.01958, -105.039703 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0196&lon=-105.0397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA002

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL LAND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.  FACTORS WERE:  CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

WINDS WERE REPORTED BY UNICOM AS LIGHT AND VARIABLE OUT OF THE EAST. OFFICIAL WINDS WERE 090 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS, REPORTED AT AN AIRPORT 8 MILES AWAY.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT.  THE PILOT THOUGHT HE HAD A FLAT TIRE AND CORRECTED WITH RUDDER.  THE AIRPLANE RETURNED TO THE RUNWAY CENTER, THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT.  THE PILOT SAID THE RUDDER PEDALS WERE 'UNRESPONSIVE' AND HE COULD NOT STEER.  THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A DITCH, AND OVERTURNED. POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80650](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80650-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 17266690, 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: 17266690
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Tri-County Flight School
- Registered owner: Tri-County Flight School
- Airport: 48V, Tri-County, runway 15, 4,700 × 60 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 33 total, 33 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BJC, 8 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 19911003045029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911003045029A), Oct 3, 1991: Cessna 172M, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing,veered right and left. Ran off runway and overturned in a ditch. Brakes normal.

## Other investigations on N80650 (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 DEN89LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA054), Dec 31, 1988: Cessna 172M (N80650), Erie, CO, substantial damage

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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