# NTSB FTW94LA011: Cessna 172F, N5191F, Co. Springs, CO, October 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1993, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Co. Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 38.819759, -104.699333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8198&lon=-104.6993&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 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA011

## Probable cause

AN ENCOUNTER WITH WAKE TURBULENCE DURING THE LANDING FLARE.  A  FACTOR WAS LACK OF TOTAL PILOT EXPERIENCE.

## 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
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, landing - flare/touchdown
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - sign

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT, ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT, WAS CLEARED FOR A TOUCH AND GO LANDING FOLLOWING THE LANDING OF A C-130 AIRCRAFT. DURING THE FLARE, THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED UP AND ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. DURING AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TAXIWAY SIGN AND NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On October 15, 1993, at 1015 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N5191F, collided with the ground during landing on runway 17R at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado.  The student pilot was uninjured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the student pilot's first solo flight and no flight plan was filed.

The student was following a C-130 aircraft for his first touch and go landing.  The tower reported the winds to be calm and cleared the student for a touch and go landing on runway 17R.  The controller instructed the student to follow a C-130 aircraft on final to that runway.  As the student pilot was entering the flare, the aircraft pitched up and rolled right.  According to the student, as he began to regain control, the aircraft struck a taxiway sign and nosed over.  The distance and time between the C-130 landing and the student landing could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5191F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5191F-1998-03-25), registration cancelled 1998-03-25, S/N 17253152 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253152
- Airframe hours: 9134
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: U. S. Air Force Hq Atc Dmmr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1993, 36 hours before
- Airport: COS, Colorado Springs, runway 17R, 11,021 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COS

## 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 19931015039489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931015039489A), Oct 15, 1993: Cessna 172F, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Lost control landing behind a C130 aircraft. On flare pitch up and right roll. Struck taxi sign. 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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