Cessna 172N Skyhawk, N1401E, accident occurred on August 21, 2025, at USAF Academy Davis Airfield (AFF/KAFF), Colorado Springs, Colorado

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N1401E

United States Air Force Aero Club

On August 21, 2025, at about 0700 local time, a Cessna 172N Skyhawk, N1401E, registered to the United States Air Force Aero Club out of USAF Academy, Colorado, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at USAF Academy Davis Airfield (AFF/KAFF), Colorado Springs, Colorado, Colorado. The pilot was not injured.

The FAA reported that the aircraft departed with the right wheel chocks hanging from the right-wing strut resulting in damage from repeated bouncing on the skin.

Preliminary ADS-B data shows that the airplane taxied from the ramp to runway 34R and departed to the north (figure 1). The airplane climbed to about 8,000 ft and conducted a series of maneuvers. At about 0716 LT, the airplane started flying south back towards the airport. At about 0724 LT, the airplane flew a lowpass over runway 36R. At 0726 LT, the airplane conducted a touch-and-go on runway 34C. At 0730 LT, the airplane landed on runway 34C. (figure 2)

Figure 1

Figure 2