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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

April 26, 2003 · Cessna 172P · N54202

Colo. Springs, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 26, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Colo. Springs, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N54202
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA072

The flight instructor reported that while making an approach to the runway, the airplane encountered wind shear. The instructor told the student pilot to go-around. The student pilot added power and the airplane climbed "just above the runway." The flight instructor said the airplane would not climb. The instructor pilot said, "The nose wheel hit a small hill on the (approach) end of the runway and flipped us over." The airplane sustained damage to the propeller, engine cowling, nose gear, firewall, and both wings. Later, after the airplane had been recovered, the instructor pilot noted that the flaps were up. The instructor pilot reported that on approach, the flaps were in the full down position. An examination of the airplane revealed no pre-existing anomalies that could have contributed to the accident. The reported winds at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, 225 degrees at 14 nautical miles, 4 minutes after the accident occurred, were 140 degrees at 5 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to obtain and maintain adequate altitude during the go-around. Factors contributing to the accident were the encountered windshear, the student pilot's premature raising of the flaps, the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision, and the berm.

Full Narrative

On April 26, 2003, at 1150 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N54202, piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a berm at the approach end of runway 26 (2,084 feet by 40 feet, dry dirt) at Meadow Lake Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and subsequently nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The certified flight instructor and dual student on board the airplane reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Pueblo, Colorado, at 1045. The flight instructor reported that while making an approach to runway 26, the airplane encountered wind shear. He said he told the student pilot to go-around. The instructor pilot said the student pilot added power and the airplane climbed "just above the runway." The flight instructor said the airplane would not climb. The instructor pilot said, "The nose wheel hit a small hill on the (approach) end of the runway and flipped us over." After the airplane had been recovered, the instructor pilot noted that the flaps were up. The instructor pilot reported that on approach, the flaps were at 30 degrees or full down. An examination of the airplane showed damage to the propeller, engine cowling, nose gear, firewall, and both wings. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no pre-existing anomalies that could have contributed to the accident. At 1154, the routine weather report system at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, 225 degrees at 14 nautical miles, reported clear skies, 10 statute miles visibility, temperature 64 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 33 degrees F, winds 140 degrees at 5 knots, and altimeter 29.77 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 MDT
Nearest AirportMeadow Lake Airport (0nm W)
Runway26
Runway Length2084 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN54202
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 34 C
Altimeter29.77 inHg
Observation Time17:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data