# NTSB CEN12CA658: Cessna 175A, N6979E, Spearfish, SD, September 25, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 25, 2012, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Spearfish, SD - Coordinates: 44.486946, -104.025558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4869&lon=-104.0256&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA658 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85149/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85149 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA658 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to abandon the landing attempt, which resulted in the airplane colliding with rising terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis While attempting to land at a private airstrip, the pilot thought the airplane was too fast and too high on the first approach, and he elected to perform a go-around. During the second approach, the airplane encountered a crosswind, and the pilot aborted the landing. He applied takeoff power, lowered the flaps, pitched for a climb, and gained altitude. While maneuvering, the airplane encountered a downdraft and rising terrain. The airplane did not appear to be outclimbing the rising terrain, so the pilot decided to attempt a landing on the terrain. During the landing, the airplane struck a roadway berm, which separated the landing gear. The airplane came to rest upright; the pilot and passenger exited the airplane and noticed a small fire. The pilot attempted to extinguish the fire, but was unsuccessful, and the airplane was consumed by fire. The pilot reported that the airplane did not experience any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative While attempting to land at a private airstrip, the pilot felt the airplane was too fast and too high on the first approach and he elected to perform a go-around. During the second approach, the airplane encountered a crosswind and the pilot aborted the landing. He applied takeoff power, lowered the flaps, pitched for a climb, and gained altitude. While maneuvering, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The airplane did not appear to be outclimbing the rising terrain, so the pilot decided to attempt a precautionary landing. During the landing, the airplane struck a roadway berm which separated the landing gear. The airplane came to rest upright. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and noticed a small fire. The pilot attempted to extinguish the fire, but was unsuccessful, and the airplane was consumed. The pilot reported that the airplane did not experience any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6979E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6979E-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 56479, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 175A - Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 56479 - Airframe hours: 1900 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 2012 - Departed: SPF, Spearfish, SD - Destination: SPF, Spearfish, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 11, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,023 total, 37 in this make and model, 938 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 20 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120925025229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120925025229A), Sep 25, 2012: Cessna 175A, Spearfish, SD, Destroyed. On September 25, 2012, at approximately at 1800 MDT a Cessna 175 executed a forced landing approximately 12 miles west of Spearfish, south dakota. VFR… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85149. 841 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 717 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378862&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378863&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.