Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On May 8, 1996, at 1020 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N79212, operated by Glenwood Aviation, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it departed the side of the active runway during the landing rollout and nosed over. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. At the time of the accident, the personal flight was being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Glenwood Springs, Colorado, at 0945. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot said that he encountered a strong wind gust from left to right and went off the right side of the runway. While attempting to reenter the runway, the aircraft struck a snow drift which sheared off the nose wheel. The airplane then nosed over. Recorded wind at the time was from 220 degrees magnetic at 10 knots with gusts to 21 knots. The runway in use was 16.

Examination of the aircraft by an airframe and powerplant mechanic, who retrieved the aircraft, provided no evidence of structural or system failure or malfunction.

On NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the pilot listed a total flight time of 125.8, with 2.7 total hours in the accident aircraft make and model, of which 1.3 hours were as pilot in command. the pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions and to maintain directional control. Factors were: the gusting cross wind and the pilot's lack of total experience in make and model of aircraft.