# NTSB DEN93LA046: Cessna 172M, N4472R, Meeker, CO, April 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1993, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Meeker, CO
- Coordinates: 40.04927, -107.889709 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0493&lon=-107.8897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA046

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.  A FACTOR WAS: GUSTY CROSSWINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT, ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, WAS MAKING A LANDING APPROACH TO RUNWAY 21.  WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 180 DEGREES AT 18 KNOTS.  THE PILOT SAID AS HE FLARED FOR LANDING, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE AIRPLANE BACK INTO THE AIR THEN IT DROPPED TO THE GROUND.  THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A HALT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPORT MANAGER SAID THERE WERE 'GUSTY CROSSWINDS' AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, GUSTING FROM 18 KNOTS TO 25 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4472R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4472R), registered now, S/N 17263214, built 1974 (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: 17263214
- Airframe hours: 4613
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kempton, Larry G. Jr., doing business as Kempton Air Sevice
- Registered owner: Kempton, Larry G. Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 1993, 13 hours before
- Departed: RIL, RIFLE, CO
- Destination: 2V3, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 2V3, Meeker, runway 21, 6,500 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °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 19930426010909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930426010909A), Apr 26, 1993: Cessna 172M, Meeker, CO, Substantial damage. Wind gust lifted aircraft on flare then dropped it to runway. Collapsed gear.

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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