# NTSB FTW98LA387: Cessna 172M, N40SR, Englewood, CO, September 8, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1998, 08:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.580436, -104.860832 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5804&lon=-104.8608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA387
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA387

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.  Factors were the runway light and the terrain conditions.

## 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)
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was making touch and go landings on runway 17R (10,001 ft. x 100 ft., asphalt) in calm wind conditions. After the airplane touched down, he applied brakes and the airplane veered to the right side of the runway, 'either because of uneven brake application, or wind gust, or combination [of the two].'  As the airplane departed the right side of the runway, the pilot applied power in an attempt to regain control.  The airplane struck a runway light, severing the nose landing gear, then went down an embankment and came to a halt on uneven terrain.

## Factual narrative

On September 8, 1998, approximately 0840 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N40SR, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while landing at Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado.  The student pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The local training flight originated at 0710.

According to the pilot's accident report, he was making touch and go landings on runway 17R (10,001 ft. x 100 ft., asphalt) in calm wind conditions.  After the airplane touched down, he applied brakes and the airplane veered to the right side of the runway, "either because of uneven brake application, or wind gust, or combination [of the two]."  As the airplane departed the right side of the runway, the pilot applied power in an attempt to regain control.  The airplane struck a runway light, severing the nose landing gear.  The airplane went down an embankment and came to a halt on uneven terrain.  According to the insurance adjuster, the airframe was compromised to the extent that repairs were not economically feasible.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40SR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40SR-2001-07-16), registration cancelled 2001-07-16, S/N 17263712 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262712
- Airframe hours: 7031
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven R. Nefe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 21, 1998
- Departed: APA
- Airport: APA, Centennial Airport, runway 17R, 10,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA

## 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 19980908022599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980908022599A), Sep 8, 1998: Cessna 172M, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Student pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings. On the fifth landing, the student pilot lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft departed the runway to…

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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