# NTSB DEN93LA061: Cessna 172N, N4881G, Buena Vista, CO, May 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1993, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Buena Vista, CO
- Coordinates: 38.830856, -106.14096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8309&lon=-106.1410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18290
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18290/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA061

## Probable cause

A DOWNDRAFT AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  FACTORS WERE:  A CROSSWIND AND THE INADVERTENT SELECTION OF ADDITIONAL FLAPS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT FROM THE AIR, THE WIND APPEARED TO BE DIRECTLY ACROSS RUNWAY 15 'WITH POSSIBLY A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND.'  AFTER SELECTING 20 DEGREES OF FLAPS, HE NOTICED HIS AIRSPEED HAD INCREASED FROM 80 KNOTS TO 115 KNOTS.  HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE, SLOWED BACK TO 80 KNOTS, AND SELECTED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS.  AS HE FLARED THE AIRPLANE BETWEEN 70 AND 75 KIAS, THE PILOT SENSED HE WAS GOING TOO FAST.  THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN 'SHARPLY BLOWN DOWN ONTO THE RUNWAY,' LEFT OF CENTERLINE, AND BOUNCED.  HE APPLIED FULL THROTTLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO GO AROUND, AND NOTICED THE FLAP HANDLE WAS IN THE 40 DEGREE DETENT.  HE RETRACTED THE FLAPS, BUT THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  HE SAID THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF BUT NEVER GOT OUT OF GROUND EFFECT.  IT WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, STRUCK A DITCH, AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4881G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4881G-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 17273428, 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: 17273428
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Canon Air Service
- Registered owner: Ledbetter, Tom
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 1V6, CANON CITY, CO
- Destination: 7V1
- Airport: 7V1, Buena Vista, runway 15, 9,185 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 104 total, 101 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19930523014779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930523014779A), May 23, 1993: Cessna 172N, Buena Vista, CO, Substantial damage. Bounced and lost control landing in strong gusty quartering tailwind. Left runway down embankment and nosed over.

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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