Casualties unknown

2005-06-19: Cessna 172N (N733RL) — Aviation Services — Hudson, CO

Hudson, CO, US

On June 19, 2005, a Cessna 172N (registration N733RL) operated by Aviation Services was involved in an aviation accident near Hudson, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's improper use raising of the flaps. Contributing factors were the student pilot's misunderstanding of the instructor's intentions, the instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot, the density altitude, and the soft terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 11 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During touch-and-go practice, a flight instructor took control after a student's errors, then hastily retracted flaps fully, causing a loss of lift and a nose-over on soft ground.

Accident Details

A flight instructor and his private pilot student were practicing touch-and-go landings. During one such landing, the student failed to turn off the carburetor heat and did not retract the flaps after the touch-and-go. The instructor then assumed control of the aircraft.

Sequence of Events

After taking control, the instructor turned off the carburetor heat. He later stated that he became "hasty" and retracted the flaps completely in a single motion, rather than in gradual increments. This action resulted in a loss of lift. The aircraft subsequently touched down on soft ground and nosed over.

Environmental Conditions

The temperature at the time of the accident was 92 degrees Fahrenheit, with a calculated density altitude of 7,713 feet above mean sea level.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050628X00882. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.