NTSB Factual Report

On March 30, 2001, approximately 1800 mountain standard time, N54663, a Cessna 172P, operated by Colorado Northwestern Community College, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Rangely, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.

In a telephone interview with the college's chief pilot, he said the pilot, a student at and a member of the college's flight team, took off approximately 1745 to practice crosswind takeoffs and landings in preparation for the upcoming National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) competition at the University of North Dakota. The accident was witnessed by the chief pilot. The pilot made a normal crosswind landing on runway 24. There was an estimated 10 to 15 knot direct right crosswind. When the airplane touched down, the pilot relaxed aileron input. The airplane began "wheel barrowing," the pilot lost directional control, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway, striking a taxiway sign. Damage consisted of a sheared nose landing gear, buckled firewall, and dented wing tip.

In the pilot's accident report, he said "the crosswind was coming from an approximate heading of 330 (degrees) and was directly perpendicular to the runway."

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper use of aileron and his failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the direct gusty crosswind.