Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that he was performing touch-and-go landings. When he added power to take off, he lost control of the airplane as it veered left. He was unable to regain control before the airplane impacted a snowbank. The airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted on the side of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on Runway 34 with wind from 350°at 4 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA102 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 1, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Limon, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Limon Municipal (KLIC)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172S
- N-number
- N5163H
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2001
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.