# NTSB FTW96LA203: Cessna 172K, N79212, Leadville, CO, May 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 1996, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Leadville, CO - Coordinates: 39.240852, -106.290802 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2409&lon=-106.2908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 17, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19831 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA203 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19831/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA203 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions and to maintain directional control. Factors were: the gusting cross wind and the pilot's lack of total experience in make and model of aircraft. ## 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 - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank - landing gear,nose gear - overload - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot was nearing the completion of a cross-country flight. During the landing rollout on the runway 16, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and exited the side of the runway. The airplane subsequently struck a snow bank which sheared off the nose landing gear causing the plane to nose over. The pilot reported that he had 125.8 hours of total flight experience, with 2.7 total hours in the accident airplane make and model of which 1.3 hours were as pilot-in-command. Wind at the time was from 220 at 10 knots with gusts to 21. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 1996, at 1020 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N79212, operated by Glenwood Aviation, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it departed the side of the active runway during the landing rollout and nosed over. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. At the time of the accident, the personal flight was being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Glenwood Springs, Colorado, at 0945. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot said that he encountered a strong wind gust from left to right and went off the right side of the runway. While attempting to reenter the runway, the aircraft struck a snow drift which sheared off the nose wheel. The airplane then nosed over. Recorded wind at the time was from 220 degrees magnetic at 10 knots with gusts to 21 knots. The runway in use was 16. Examination of the aircraft by an airframe and powerplant mechanic, who retrieved the aircraft, provided no evidence of structural or system failure or malfunction. On NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the pilot listed a total flight time of 125.8, with 2.7 total hours in the accident aircraft make and model, of which 1.3 hours were as pilot in command. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79212](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79212), registered now, S/N 17257966, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257966 - Airframe hours: 3257 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Glenwood Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1996, 73 hours before - Departed: GWS, GLENWOOD SPGS, CO - Destination: LXV - Airport: LXV, Lake County, runway 16, 6,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 3 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LXV, 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 19960508009589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960508009589A), May 8, 1996: Cessna 172K, Leadville, CO, Substantial damage. On landing, wind blew aircraft off the runway, hit a snowbank, sheared off nose gear. 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.