Cessna 172 accident near Peyton, Colorado, October 22, 1988
On October 22, 1988 at about 9:20 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N9062H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Peyton, Colorado (Meadow Lake airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 22, 1988 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- Peyton, Colorado · Meadow Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N9062H · no longer on the register · serial 17265924
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDING WAS BEING MADE ON RWY 15, WITH WINDS REPORTED AS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE WING FLAPS WOULD NOT RETRACT AND THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO 15 FT AGL. THE PILOT SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND AFTER FLYING 500 YARDS AND FINDING NO INCREASE IN AIRSPEED OR ALTITUDE. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT FLEW NOSE HIGH, THEN THE RIGHT WING DIPPED AND STRUCK THE GROUND. THE ACFT NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST 1,500 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RWY. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE WING FLAP CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS TRIPPED, AND THE WING FLAP ACTUATING SWITCH WAS 'REVERSED.' THE SWITCH HAD TO BE HELD IN THE 'UP' POSITION TO RETRACT THE FLAPS. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HOLD THE SWITCH DOWN TO FULLY EXTEND THE FLAPS. THE PLT SAID THAT THIS PROCEDURE DISTRACTED HIS ATTENTION DURING THE TAKEOFF.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 153 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 73 as pilot in command; 7 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,441 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 1988
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Militair Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: OOV at 8:20 pm
- Destination: OOV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 4,100 ft by 35 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
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.