Cessna 172RG accident near Wellington, Colorado, April 2, 2011
On April 2, 2011 at about 3:47 pm local time, a Cessna 172RG, registered N4914V, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Wellington, Colorado (Owl Canyon Gliderport airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the go-around.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 2011 · about 3:47 pm local time
- Place
- Wellington, Colorado · Owl Canyon Gliderport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172RG · all 172RGs on the register
- Registration
- N4914V · no longer on the register · serial 172RG0414
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On final approach to the runway, the pilot had difficulty maintaining centerline on the 15-foot-wide runway. The pilot requested assistance from the certified flight instructor (CFI) who directed a go-around. After the pilot began the go-around procedures, the CFI took control of the airplane and reduced the flap setting. The airplane was flown in ground effect as the airplane drifted to the left of the runway. The airplane was not at a safe flying airspeed to maneuver away from a gazebo and windsock. The airplane's left wing collided with the gazebo and the right wing collided with the windsock. The CFI performed a forced landing and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airframe sustained substantial crushing damage to both wings and the forward fuselage, including the firewall. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during approach (VFR go-around)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR go-around)
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 214 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 113 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 27, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16,397 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 14, 2010; 63 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: G & M Aviation INC
The flight
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 01L, 2,000 ft by 15 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.