Casualties unknown

Runway Light Strike During Touch and Go Landing in Crosswind Conditions (N80893)

Boulder, CO, US

On June 20, 1989, a Cessna 172M (registration N80893) operated by Dakota Ridge Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Boulder, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE (PRIVATE RATED) DUAL STUDENT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI). This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a familiarization flight, a CFI and private student experienced a runway excursion after the aircraft angled left on touchdown, striking a runway light with the horizontal stabilizer and sustaining substantial damage.

Incident Summary

A flight instructor (CFI) and a private-rated dual student were conducting a familiarization flight at an airport. The purpose of the flight was to provide the student with experience in touch and go landings. The CFI reported that the student performed several touch and go landings on Runway 26L. The wind conditions were estimated by the CFI as from 270 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots.

Sequence of Events

During the final touchdown of the last landing, the CFI noted that the aircraft was angled to the left. The airplane subsequently departed the runway to the left side. As it left the paved surface, the horizontal stabilizer came into contact with a runway light. The impact resulted in damage to the stabilizer.

Damage

The contact with the runway light caused substantial damage to the aircraft. The specific extent of the damage was not further detailed, but it was sufficient to classify the event as an accident with substantial damage. No injuries were reported in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28558. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.