# NTSB CHI03LA197: Cessna 175, N7256M, Wessington Spri, SD, July 4, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2003, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Wessington Spri, SD - Coordinates: 44.0625, -98.511108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0625&lon=-98.5111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Rapid City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57438 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57438/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA197 ## Probable cause The pilot not obtaining/maintaining clearance from the barbed wire fence during the go-around. Factors to the accident were the fence, and the brush. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - fence (contributing factor) - clearance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - touchdown - improper, pilot in command - go-around - delayed, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - Fire, standing ## Analysis The airplane was destroyed by ground impact and post impact fire after hitting a fence during an attempted go-around. The pilot reported that his "touchdown point was a little long" during an attempted landing at a private airstrip. The pilot attempted a go-around. During initial climb the airplanes tires struck a fence and the airplane "went into some brush." A subsequent post impact fire ensued. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures. Wind was 270 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2003, at 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 175, N7256M, operated by a private pilot was destroyed when it struck a barbed wire fence and impacted terrain during a go-around on runway 36 (2,500 feet by 180 feet, turf) at a private airstrip near Wessington Springs, South Dakota. A post-impact fire destroyed the airplane. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was being conducted without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed Myers Field Airport (27D) near Canby, Minnesota at 1305. In his written statement, the pilot stated: The aircraft departed Canby, MN at 13:05 for Wessington Springs, SD. When landing the touchdown point was a little long needing either braking or going around. When attempting to go around the wheels touched the top of a fence at the end of the runway and the plane went into some brush. The plane was exited and a fire burned it. The pilot reported a total flight time of 178 hours of which 105.7 hours were in the same make and model as the accident aircraft. Recorded weather at Huron Regional Airport, near Huron, South Dakota, located 26 miles north east of Wessington Springs, was: Wind 270 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; temperature 28 degrees C; dew point 18 degrees C; Altimeter 29.89 inches of mercury. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7256M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7256M-2006-04-06), registration cancelled 2006-04-06, S/N 55556, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55556 - Airframe hours: 3026 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: 180 Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 2002, 29 hours before - Departed: 27D, Canby, MN - Destination: Wessington Spri, SD - Airport: PVT, Wessington Springs Airport, runway 36, 2,500 × 180 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 2, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 178 total, 106 in this make and model, 119 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KHON, 26 nm away ## 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 20030704012659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030704012659A), Jul 4, 2003: Cessna 175, Wessingtonsprin, SD, Destroyed. (-23) At about 1415 CDT on 7-4-03, PIC merlyn schafer was attempting a landing on runway 36 at a private grass strip 1.5 miles north of wessington springs, SD.… 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.