Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On April 7, 2000, at 2130 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N65312, departed the side of the runway during landing roll at Loveland/Fort Collins Municipal Airport, Loveland, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Limon, Colorado, at 2030.

According to the pilot, he was conducting a practice ILS (instrument landing system) approach to a full stop landing. When the aircraft touched down, it immediately swerved to the right and departed the side of the runway. During this excursion, the aircraft struck runway lights and a runway/taxiway sign before the pilot brought it to a stop.

The landing was being performed on runway 33 and the wind was from 180 degrees at 8 knots.

Reported damage to the aircraft was to the right horizontal stabilizer, main landing gear, and a crack in the empennage.

The pilot provided information that he had a total of 84 hours flight time, all of which was in the Cessna 172. He had 55 hours as pilot in command, 22 hours night experience, and 21 hours in the last 30 days before the accident. On ground loss of control resulting in collision with airport markings due to inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing roll. Factors were inaccurate in flight planning by landing with a tail wind component and lack of total pilot experience.