# NTSB FTW94LA106: Cessna 172L, N7876G, Buena Vista, CO, March 18, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1994, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Buena Vista, CO
- Coordinates: 38.830574, -106.139312 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8306&lon=-106.1393&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 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA106

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT. A FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY THE STUDENT PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A TOUCH AND GO LANDING ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY FOLLOWING TOUCHDOWN. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ASSUME CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, BUT 'WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION PRIOR TO STRIKING AN EMBANKMENT.'

## Factual narrative

On March 18, 1994, at 1130 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172L, N7876G, was substantially damaged during landing at Buena Vista Municipal Airport in Buena Vista, Colorado.  The certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight.

In the Pilot/Operator report, the instructor pilot stated that the aircraft began to drift to the left off the runway during a touch and go landing.  He further stated that the aircraft "ran off the runway, at which time I attempted to maneuver us back onto the runway."  He added that he was "unable to correct the condition prior to striking an embankment."

An examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical difficulties.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7876G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7876G-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 17259576, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259576
- Airframe hours: 4100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Salida Air Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 1994, 70 hours before
- Departed: 0V2, SALIDA, CO
- Airport: 7V1, Buena Vista Municipal, runway 15, 9,000 × 48 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,850 total, 780 in this make and model, 1,750 as pilot in command, 117 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LXV, 20 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 19940318006009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940318006009A), Mar 18, 1994: Cessna 172L, Buena Vista, CO, Substantial damage. Student veered after landing. CFI attempted too late to correct. Plane struck an embankment.

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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