Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On June 19, 2002, at 1030 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N9089H, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard touch and go landing at the Telluride Regional Airport, Telluride, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal, cross-country flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger on board reported no injuries. The flight originated at Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 0800. Following the hard landing, the airplane returned to and landed at Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The pilot reported he flew the final approach at Telluride at too fast an airspeed. The pilot said, "As a result of this extra speed, I porpoised on landing."

An inspection of the airplane was performed at Albuquerque. The inspection showed that the bottom and center right side of the airplane's firewall was wrinkled. The outer 2-1/2 inches of one propeller blade was bent aft 40 degrees. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the airplane's engine, engine controls, and other systems revealed no anomalies. the pilot not maintaining proper aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the high airspeed, the porpoise encountered during the landing, and the pilot's delayed remedial action resulting in the damage to the airplane.