# NTSB FTW96LA182: Cessna 172N, N75839, Broomfield, CO, April 26, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1996, 09:48 local (15:48 UTC) - Place: Broomfield, CO - Coordinates: 39.889911, -105.110656 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8899&lon=-105.1107&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19815 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19815/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA182 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to obtain/maintain directional control. A factor was the cross wind. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The airplane was on downwind leg to runway 11L when the control tower operator advised the pilot that wind velocity had increased to 15 knots. On final approach, the pilot was advised the wind velocity had dropped to 5 knots. The pilot said the airplane was then to the left of the runway centerline, and he maneuvered to correct the alignment. The airplane touched down with a side load because the nose was not pointed down the runway. The airplane departed the left side of the runway onto a high speed turnoff, crossed a parallel taxiway and struck the taxiway sign. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to a halt on the parking ramp. The wind was reported to be from 070 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 16 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 1996, at 0948 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N75839, owned by a private owner and operated by Mile High Aviation Services, Inc., was substantially damaged during landing at Broomfield, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot was not injured. The Title 14 CFR Part 91 training flight originated at Broomfield, Colorado at 0915. According to the pilot's accident report, this was a "supervised solo training flight," and he made two touch and go landings in what he described as "mild turbulence." While on the downwind leg for the third approach, the control tower operator advised the pilot that the wind velocity had increased to 15 knots. When the airplane was on final approach, the pilot was advised the wind velocity had dropped to 5 knots. The pilot said he was not aligned with, but was to the left of, the runway centerline. He maneuvered to align the airplane with the runway. The airplane touched down with a side load because the nose was not pointed down the runway. The airplane departed the left side of the runway onto a high speed turnoff, crossed a parallel taxiway and struck the taxiway sign. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to a halt on the parking ramp.. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane touched down 3,000 feet beyond runway 11L threshold. According to the official weather observation taken at the time of the accident, the wind was from 070 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75839](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75839), registered now, S/N 17267994, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17267994 - Airframe hours: 11049 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mile High Aviation Svc, Inc. - Registered owner: Michael D. & Sheryl A. Mcguire - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 25, 1996, 51 hours before - Departed: BJC, CO - Destination: BJC - Airport: BJC, Broomfield-Jefferson Co., runway 11L, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC ## 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 19960426047499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960426047499A), Apr 26, 1996: Cessna 172N, Broomfield, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) A student on supervised solo lost control on landing rwy 11L and exited runway. Aircraft nose gear broke off damaging firewall and forward belly.… 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.