# NTSB FTW95LA036: Cessna 172P, N52521, Colorado Spgs, CO, October 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1994, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spgs, CO
- Coordinates: 38.859836, -104.760604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8598&lon=-104.7606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE, THE RESULTANT PORPOISE AND AN INADEQUATE RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT PERFORMED A SERIES OF TOUCH AND GOES. DURING THE FINAL LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE BALLOONED AND THEN TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, HIT A DITCH, AND CAME TO REST NOSE DOWN.

## Factual narrative

On October 29, 1994, at 1030 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N52521, was substantially damaged during landing near Colorado Springs, Colorado.  The solo student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight.

The pilot reported performing a series of takeoffs and landings on runway 17 at Colorado Springs Airport.  During the final landing, the airplane "ballooned" after touching down on the main landing gear.  The airplane touched down again on "all three wheels simultaneously."  The nose tire blew, the aircraft departed the right side of the runway and hit a small ditch before coming to rest nose down.  Damage occurred to the firewall and lower fuselage area aft of the firewall.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52521](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52521), registered now, S/N 17274547, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172P74547
- Airframe hours: 6988
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Johnson & Johnson Ed Sys Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1994, 31 hours before
- Airport: COS, Colorado Spgs, runway 17R, 10,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 2 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COS

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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