# NTSB DEN92LA094: Cessna 172N, N5222D, Fort Collins, CO, September 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1992, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Collins, CO
- Coordinates: 40.40961, -105.070365 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4096&lon=-105.0704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA094

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  A FACTOR WAS: CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT FLARED THE AIRPLANE FOR LANDING WHEN A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO DEPART THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT CLOSED CARBURETOR HEAT, APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, AND BEGAN RETRACTING THE FLAPS IN AN ATTEMPT TO ABORT THE LANDING.  THE PILOT SAW A DITCH AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID IT, BUT THE LEFT WIND TIP STRUCK A TREE BRANCH AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR HIT THE DITCH, SPINNING THE AIRPLANE AROUND. WINDS WERE REPORTED GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5222D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5222D), registered now, S/N 17272456, built 1979 (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: 17272456
- Airframe hours: 4310
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: The Pilot Center
- Registered owner: Zelenak, Steve & Amy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1992, 46 hours before
- Airport: 3V5, Downtown Fort Collins, runway 11, 4,699 × 48 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 26 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FCL, 10 nm away

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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