# NTSB CHI93LA381: Cessna 172, N8529U, Union Center, SD, January 19, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 19, 1992, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Union Center, SD - Coordinates: 44.559425, -102.65937 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5594&lon=-102.6594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 7, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9331 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA381 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9331/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA381 ## Probable cause IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, WHILE THERE WAS SUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE SOFT RUNWAY CONDITION & FENCE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE HAD JUST LIFTED OFF AND WAS AT AN ESTIMATED 2 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, WHEN IT STRUCK A WIRE FENCE AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. HE REPORTED THE WEATHER WAS UNSEASONABLY WARM (60 DEGREES IN JANUARY) AND THE GROUND WAS SOFT DUE TO THAWING. HE STATED: 'IT WAS MY ERROR,' AND INDICATED HE KEPT THE POWER IN TOO LONG, THINKING THE AIRPLANE WOULD CLEAR THE FENCE. THE 2800 FOOT LONG PRIVATE GRASS STRIP WAS LOCATED ON THE PILOT'S PROPERTY. ## Factual narrative On January 19, 1992, approximately 1300 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N8529U, piloted by the private pilot/registered owner, collided with a fence shortly after liftoff from the pilot's private grass airstrip in Union Center, South Dakota. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Union Center approximately 1259 hours. The pilot reported it was a warm (60 degrees) day with calm winds and the ground was soft with "...about 2" thawed on top... ." He stated when he reached the point on the grass strip where he expected to rotate, the airplane would not fly. He estimated the airplane was about 2 feet above the ground when it struck a woven wire fence located off the departure end of the runway. The airplane fell to the ground and skidded to a stop nose down. The pilot stated "...It was my error. When I seen it wasn't going to fly or clear the fence I should of cut the power and braked to a stop...kept the power in too long." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8529U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8529U-2000-01-12), registration cancelled 2000-01-12, S/N 17252429 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17252429 - Airframe hours: 5000 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Opstedahl, Ronald D. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1991, 30 hours before - Destination: NONE, SD - Airport: Private Strip, runway 32, 2,800 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19920119057029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920119057029A), Jan 19, 1992: Cessna 172E, Union Center, SD, Substantial damage. Departing soft Private strip struck wire fence end of short runway. 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.