# NTSB DEN99LA125: Cessna 172E, N5696T, Peyton, CO, July 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1999, 08:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Peyton, CO - Coordinates: 39.030761, -104.479148 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0308&lon=-104.4791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46916 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46916/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing touchdown. Factors were the crosswind and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student pilot performed two landings on runway 15, then practiced another two landings on runway 33 after the runway was switched. During his final full stop landing on runway 33, he encountered a crosswind during final approach. Immediately after the main wheels touched down, the aircraft encountered a 'strong crosswind,' causing it to exit the runway to the left and onto the grass. The airplane impacted a ditch, sustaining damage to the propeller, engine, nose landing gear, left wingtip, and firewall. Winds reported at the nearest weather reporting facility were from 340 degrees at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1999, approximately 0850 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172E, N5696T, was substantially damaged when the aircraft collided with terrain during landing roll at Meadow Lake Airport, Peyton, Colorado. The student pilot, the sole occupant aboard, received minor injuries. No flight plan had been filed for the local area instructional flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at 0710. According to the pilot, he made three touch and go landings at the airport, then departed the traffic pattern to perform a variety of maneuvers in the practice area. At approximately 0830, he returned to the airport to practice additional touch and go landings. He made two landings on runway 15, then performed another two landings on runway 33 when the runway was switched. The pilot stated that during the final full stop landing on runway 33, he encountered a left crosswind during final approach. He applied right rudder and left aileron to stabilize the aircraft. Immediately after the main wheels touched down, the aircraft encountered a "strong crosswind," causing it to depart the runway to the left and onto the grass. The airplane impacted a ditch, sustaining damage to the propeller, engine, nose landing gear, left wingtip, and firewall. At 0854, weather conditions at the City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, located 10.4 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, were reported as winds from 340 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5696T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5696T-2000-05-19), registration cancelled 2000-05-19, S/N 17251596 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172E - Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257596 - Airframe hours: 5449 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Blue Goose Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 25, 1966, 99 hours before - Departed: 00V - Airport: 00V, Meadow Lake Airport, runway 33, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °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 19990722009859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990722009859A), Jul 22, 1999: Cessna 172E, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft slid off runway into ditch during landing. Bent prop, nose gear, and wingtip. (-23) student pilot on third solo, had completed two successful touch… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.