# NTSB CHI80FA041: Cessna 172K, N64368, Big Fork, MN, May 23, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 23, 1980
- Place: Big Fork, MN · BIG FORK, MN
- Location: 47.7476° N, 93.6540° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bigfork, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7476&lon=-93.6540&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI80FA041
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FA041

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1601  80/5/23  NR.BIG FORK,MN        CESSNA 172K         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1155                    N64368              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  42, 7000 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GRAND RAPIDS,MN            BIG FORK,MN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64368](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64368-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 17265197, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800523017809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800523017809A), May 23, 1980: Cessna 172M, Big Fork, MN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Pilot buzzing to attract attention hit trees and crashed.

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.

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