N7273G

On March 28, 1997, approximately 1000 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172K, N7273G, was substantially damaged when a student pilot attempted to land on runway 32, Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport approximately 0900.

The following is based on a telephone conversation with, and the written accident report from, the pilot. He said he had made six takeoffs and landings with his instructor, and this was his first solo flight at Glenwood Springs Airport (he had previously soloed at Eagle and Rifle, Colorado). He said that the wind was calm and his landing approach was stable. He selected 30 degrees of flaps. When the airplane touched down, it began to drift to the right. The pilot applied left rudder and over corrected. The airplane veered to the left, and he elected to abort the landing and added power. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck a tree, and nosed over.