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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 28, 1990 · Cessna 152 · N6581M

Erie, CO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Erie, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N6581M
Operator
Tri-County Flight School
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN90LA194

THE GLIDER-RATED STUDENT PILOT WAS RECEIVING DUAL TRANSITION INSTRUCTION AND WAS CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. ON THE FOURTH APPROACH, THE INSTRUCTOR 'FELT THE AIRPLANE WAS LOW, BUT NOT DANGEROUSLY SO,' AND TOLD THE STUDENT TO ADD POWER. THE INSTRUCTOR SAW THE ORANGE MARKER BALLS ON THE POWERLINES BUT FELT THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD CLEARED THEM. THE AIRPLANE SEVERED TWO POWERLINES, LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A DIRT BANK AND OVERTURNED. RUNWAY 9 EQUIPPED WITH LOW INTENSITY RUNWAY LIGHTS; DOES NOT HAVE A VASI.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE, AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION.

Full Narrative

THE GLIDER-RATED STUDENT PILOT WAS RECEIVING DUAL TRANSITION INSTRUCTION AND WAS CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. ON THE FOURTH APPROACH, THE INSTRUCTOR 'FELT THE AIRPLANE WAS LOW, BUT NOT DANGEROUSLY SO,' AND TOLD THE STUDENT TO ADD POWER. THE INSTRUCTOR SAW THE ORANGE MARKER BALLS ON THE POWERLINES BUT FELT THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD CLEARED THEM. THE AIRPLANE SEVERED TWO POWERLINES, LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A DIRT BANK AND OVERTURNED. RUNWAY 9 EQUIPPED WITH LOW INTENSITY RUNWAY LIGHTS; DOES NOT HAVE A VASI.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:40 MDT
Nearest AirportTri-County (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length3830 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN6581M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorTri-County Flight School
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind190° @ 7 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data