FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Student Pilot's Aircraft Strikes Sign After Runway Excursion at Touchdown (N54165)

Loveland, CO, US

On November 16, 2004, a Cessna 172P (registration N54165) was involved in an aviation accident near Loveland, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and the student pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision making. Contributing factors include the quartering tail wind, the high airspeed, and the airport sign. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot executing a landing on runway 33 experienced a directional control issue on touchdown, resulting in a runway excursion, impact with an airport sign, and substantial damage.

Accident Sequence

A student pilot reported that during landing on runway 33, the nose of the airplane was pointed to the right side of the runway at touchdown, and the airspeed was high. The pilot attempted to correct the aircraft's heading using rudder input. However, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, struck an airport sign, and continued across an adjacent taxiway before coming to a stop.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage as a result of the impact with the sign and the subsequent movement across the taxiway.

Weather Conditions

At the time of the accident, the automated weather observation (METAR) reported wind from 130 degrees at 8 knots.

Examination

A postaccident examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies that would have contributed to the loss of directional control.

Pilot Information

The pilot was a student pilot. No further details regarding the pilot's experience or training were provided in the source.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Nov 2004 Cessna 172P accident near Loveland, CO?

A student pilot executing a landing on runway 33 experienced a directional control issue on touchdown, resulting in a runway excursion, impact with an airport sign, and substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Nov 2004 Cessna 172P accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Nov 2004 involved a Cessna 172P, registration N54165, at Loveland, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and the student pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision making. Contributing factors include the quartering tail wind, the high airspeed, and the airport sign.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20041221X02016. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.