# NTSB CHI90FA265: Cessna 172M, N73059, Aberdeen, SD, September 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1990, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Aberdeen, SD
- Coordinates: 45.459121, -98.479537 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4591&lon=-98.4795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA265

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS BUZZING A FARMER'S SUNFLOWER FIELDS TO CHASE AWAY THE BLACKBIRDS WHICH WERE EATING THE SUNFLOWER SEEDS. HE HAD BEEN DOING THIS DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-75 FEET WHEN IT STARTED A CLIMB TO APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED A SPIN AND IMPACTED NOSE DOWN IN THE SUNFLOWER FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73059](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73059-1990-11-05), registration cancelled 1990-11-05, S/N 17267254 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267254
- Airframe hours: 4563
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wayne H. Rexinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1990, 118 hours before
- Departed: ABR, ABERDEEN, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 565 total, 218 in this make and model, 497 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABR, 15 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 19900915039649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900915039649A), Sep 15, 1990: Cessna 172M, Aberdeen, SD, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Entered accelerated stall and spin at low altitude while hazing blackbirds for farmer. Seat belts not fastened.

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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