Cessna 172 accident near Glenwood Spgs, Colorado, July 8, 1989
On July 8, 1989 at about 1:00 am local time, a Cessna 172, registered N2720E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Glenwood Spgs, Colorado (Glenwood Springs airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE DUAL STUDENT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, CFI, FAILED TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE OPERATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 1989 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Glenwood Spgs, Colorado · Glenwood Springs
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N2720E · registry record · serial 17271305
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE COMMERCIAL PLT (CFI) WAS INSTRUCTING A FOREIGN CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PLT WITH ONE PASSENGER ON BOARD. THE CFI SAID THE DUAL STUDENT WAS MAKING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF ON RWY 32, A 3,305 X 50 FT ASPHALT RWY, WITH WINDS REPORTED AS 030 DEG AT 10 KTS, GUSTING TO 13 KNOTS. THE CFI SAID THAT AT MID-FIELD, THE ACFT HAD GAINED 50 FT AGL ALTITUDE. HE SAID THE ACFT WAS STRUCK BY A WINDSHEAR AND IT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE CFI TOOK THE CONTROLS, LOWERED THE NOSE, AND ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE CFI SAID HE 'TURNED OFF THE ENGINE' AND 'ADDED FLAPS.' THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH 200 FEET OF RWY REMAINING. THE ACFT OVERRAN THE RWY, WENT THROUGH A FENCE, AND CAME TO REST 300 FT OFF THE END OF RWY.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 789 hours in all; 306 in this make and model; 108 in the last 90 days; 76 in the last 30 days; 643 as pilot in command; 391 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Strand Aviation, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: GWS at 1:00 am
- Destination: GJT Grand Junction CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 3,305 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 10 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 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.