# Accident 20160802012979A: Cessna 172N, Lewistown, MT, August 2, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 2, 2016, 16:30 local time
- Place: Lewistown, MT
- Airport: Smithfield Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.1169° N, 109.3764° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1169&lon=-109.3764&mi=10
- Aircraft: N734GM, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734GM-2018-05-31) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 1,132 total, 247 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA419](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA419) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160802012979A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON JUNE 12, 2016 AT APPROXIMATELY 1630 MDT (2230Z) A CESSNA 172N SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER, LEFT AILERON, BOTH WING STRUTS, EMPENNAGE AND BOTH ELEVATORS WHEN THE PILOT LOST CONTROL ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE SEAT POSITION CAUSING THE SEAT TO ROLL TO THE BACK STOP. THIS CAUSED THE PILOT TO PULL BACK ON THE YOKE WHICH LIFTED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT PREMATURELY THEN VEERING OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THROUGH A FENCE AT SMITHFIELD AIRPORT (MT65) NORTH OF LWT MONTANA WHILE ON A 14 CFR PART 91 PERSONAL FLIGHT.VISUAL METROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS THE ONLY PERSON ON BOARD AND WAS UNINJURED.

THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT MT65 AND DESTINATION WAS TO BE BZN MT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA16CA419](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA419), Aug 2, 2016: Cessna 172 (N734GM), Lewiston, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to ensure that his seat was adjusted and locked, which resulted in his seat sliding aft during the takeoff roll, and the subsequent loss of directional control and runway…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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