# NTSB FTW97LA145: Cessna 172K, N7273G, Glenwood Spgs, CO, March 28, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1997, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Glenwood Spgs, CO
- Location: 39.5060° N, 107.3091° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at KGWS SUMERS AIRPARK (GWS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5060&lon=-107.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA145

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane directional control, and his use of excessive rudder control.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot said he had made six takeoffs and landings with his instructor, and this was his first solo flight at Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Airport (he had previously soloed at Eagle and Rifle, Colorado).  The pilot said the wind was calm and his landing approach was stable.  After the airplane touched down, it began to drift to the right of the runway.  The pilot said he applied left rudder but over corrected.  The airplane veered to the left, and the pilot elected to abort the landing and added power.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck a tree, and nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On March 28, 1997, approximately 1000 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172K, N7273G, was substantially damaged when a student pilot attempted to land on runway 32, Glenwood Springs, Colorado.  The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated at Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport approximately 0900.

The following is based on a telephone conversation with, and the written accident report from, the pilot.  He said he had made six takeoffs and landings with his instructor, and this was his first solo flight at Glenwood Springs Airport (he had previously soloed at Eagle and Rifle, Colorado).  He said that the wind was calm and his landing approach was stable.  He selected 30 degrees of flaps.  When the airplane touched down, it began to drift to the right.  The pilot applied left rudder and over corrected.  The airplane veered to the left, and he elected to abort the landing and added power.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck a tree, and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7273G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7273G-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 17258973, built 1970 (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: 17258973
- Airframe hours: 3783
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-EZD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenwood Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1997, 50 hours before
- Airport: GWS, Glenwood Springs, runway 32, 3,305 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 25 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EGE, 26 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 19970328003989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970328003989A), Mar 28, 1997: Cessna 172K, Glenwood Spring, CO, Substantial damage. First solo at airport. Veered after landing. Over corrected. Began go around,exited other side. Hit tree. Nosed over

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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