# NTSB FTW97LA138: Cessna 172K, N686JF, Telluride, CO, March 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 25, 1997, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Telluride, CO - Coordinates: 37.939502, -107.90026 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9395&lon=-107.9003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20180 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20180/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA138 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged landing flare and his improper bounced landing recovery technique. A factor was the snow bank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during landing the airplane 'touched down very hard, bounced high and floated.' When the airplane touched down the second time, it was 'headed off [the] runway (15 degree angle +-).' He attempted to go around, but the airplane did not get airborne. The landing gear contacted a deep snow bank approximately 500 feet east and 100 feet south of where the airplane departed the runway, and it came to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On March 25, 1997, at 1030 mountain standard time, a Cessna, 172K, N686JF, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing at the Telluride Regional Airport, Telluride, Colorado. The private pilot, sole occupant in the airplane, received minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by Glenwood Aviation as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight which originated from Canyonlands Field Airport, Moab, Utah, approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes before the accident. A VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that during landing the airplane "touched down very hard, bounced high and floated." When the airplane touched down the second time, it was "headed off [the] runway (15 degree angle +-)." He attempted to go around, but the airplane did not get airborne. The landing gear contacted a deep snow bank approximately 500 feet east and 100 feet south of where the airplane departed the runway, and it came to rest inverted. The airplane's wings, engine, propeller, empennage, and fuselage were all damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N686JF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N686JF-2013-08-30), registration cancelled 2013-08-30, S/N 17257670, built 1968 (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: 17257670 - Airframe hours: 3911 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4H 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Glenwood Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 21, 1997 - Departed: CNY, MOAB, UT - Destination: TEX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: TEX, Telluride, runway 9, 6,870 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 94 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## Other investigations on N686JF (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN73FTE48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73FTE48), Jan 21, 1973: Cessna 172 (N686JF), Boulder, CO, substantial damage 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.