# NTSB FTW96LA179: Cessna 172P, N55126, Colorado Spgs, CO, April 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 23, 1996, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Colorado Spgs, CO - Coordinates: 38.910232, -104.77935 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9102&lon=-104.7793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19813 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19813/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA179 ## Probable cause the student pilot'S failure to maintain control of the aircraft during a go-around. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis When returning from a solo training flight the student pilot was making a full stop landing. During the flare for landing the aircraft began to settle and the pilot attempted to go-around. The left wing dropped and the aircraft impacted beside the runway. ## Factual narrative On April 23, 1996, at 1115 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N55126, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The student pilot was not injured. The solo instructional flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot, who had accumulated 46 hours total flight time and 3 hours solo time, said he was doing touch-and-go landings on runway 17L after completing his air work in a designated area east of the airport. When he was ready for a full stop landing he said that he requested runway 17L so he would be close to his parking area. According to the pilot, as he flared the aircraft for landing, it began to settle and he attempted to go around. During this attempt, the left wing dropped and the aircraft impacted beside the runway. The pilot stated that a wind shear alert (LLWAS) began shortly after his accident. A review of weather information at the Colorado Springs Airport, revealed no evidence of an LLWAS alert during the time period and recorded wind, taken as part of a special observation immediately following the accident, was from 190 degrees magnetic at 4 knots. There were no gusts recorded. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55126](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55126), registered now, S/N 17275116, built 1981 (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: 17275116 - Airframe hours: 6639 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aero Lease Company, doing business as Colorado Skyways - Registered owner: Debalco Enterprises, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1996, 95 hours before - Departed: COS - Airport: COS, Colorado Springs, runway 17R, 11,021 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 46 total, 46 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: COS, 1 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 19960423047199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960423047199A), Apr 23, 1996: Cessna 172P, Coloradosprings, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) Student pilot lost control on landing. [privacy data omitted] 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.