Cessna 172S accident near Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 29, 2026
On May 29, 2026 at about 5:46 pm local time, a 1999 Cessna 172S, registered N386SP, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Colorado Springs, Colorado (Usaf Academy Davis Airfield). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with runway signs.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2026 · about 5:46 pm local time
- Place
- Colorado Springs, Colorado · Usaf Academy Davis Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S, built 1999 · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N386SP · registry record · serial 172S8283
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot was completing his third solo takeoff of the day. During the takeoff roll, he recognized that the flaps were still fully extended from the previous landing and subsequently moved the flap lever to retract them. The airplane veered left off the runway and struck two runway signs, then continued back onto the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded 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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Forgotten action/omission › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Sign/marker › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 72.6 hours in all; 27.6 in this make and model; 19.6 in the last 90 days; 7.9 in the last 30 days; 2.9 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,426.8 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 23, 2026; 51.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,558 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 3,275 hours total
- Operator: Usaf Academy Aero Club
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16L/, 3,513 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 14,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 12:00 pm from KAFF
Weather report (METAR): METAR KAFF 291755Z AUTO 19011KT 10SM FEW140 SCT200 21/11 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP057 T02080111 10208 20128 57021 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Airplane right side
Photograph 2 – Airplane front
Photograph 3 – Right elevator
Photograph 4 – Right elevatorThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on July 15, 2026. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.