# NTSB DEN92LA053: Cessna R172E, N146AC, Colorado Spring, CO, May 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1992, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spring, CO
- Coordinates: 38.989021, -104.849197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9890&lon=-104.8492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA053

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN CLEARANCE AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE POST.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - fence post
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL AREA PERSONAL FLIGHT THE PILOT MADE A LOW PASS OVER A ROAD.  DURING THE LOW PASS THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE POST WHICH DAMAGED THE LANDING GEAR AND FUSELAGE.  THE PILOT NOTED THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WAS BENT AND HE PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT AND CONDUCTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N146AC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N146AC), registered now, S/N R1720147, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172E
- Registry model: [Cessna R172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172e) (registry code 2072413) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1720147
- Airframe hours: 6597
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Usafa Aero Club
- Registered owner: United States Air Force
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 1992, 41 hours before
- Departed: AFF, USAF ACADEMY, CO
- Destination: 00V, FALCON, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 140 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COS, 10 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 19920518017279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920518017279A), May 18, 1992: Cessna R172E, Ellicott, CO, Substantial damage. Made low pass over a road to assess possible landing area. Left gear hit fence post. Returned base. Fuselage damage

## Other investigations on N146AC (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 CEN18LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA335), Aug 16, 2018: Cessna R172E (N146AC), Colorado Springs, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane’s failure to maintain a climb after takeoff, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain; the reason for the airplane’s failure to climb could not be determined based on the…

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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