# NTSB CHI94LA139: Cessna 172K, N46474, Howes, SD, April 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1994, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Howes, SD
- Coordinates: 44.620223, -102.040679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6202&lon=-102.0407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA139

## Probable cause

THE DIVERTED ATTENTION OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - soft
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO DROP A PACKAGE TO TWO PERSONS WHO WERE CANOEING ON A RIVER.  AFTER THE PACKAGE WAS DROPPED, THE PILOT STATED HE WAS DISTRACTED FOR 4-6 SECONDS, AND NEGLECTED TO PULL UP.  THE AIRPLANE INADVERTENTLY STRUCK A SOFT RIVER BANK.  THE LANDING GEAR SANK IN THE SOFT GROUND, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On April 20, 1994, at 1530 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N46474, sustained substantial damage when it crashed near Howes, South Dakota.  The commercial pilot and the two passengers in the airplane were not injured.  The personal flight originated at the Rapid City Regional Airport.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to drop a package to two persons who were canoeing on the river.  He stated he made a low pass, dropped the package, then became distracted before he executed a pull-up and go-around.  The airplane inadvertently touched down on the soft river bank.  After touchdown, the landing gear sank into the soft soil, and the airplane nosed-over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46474](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46474), registered now, S/N 17257292 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257292
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hardrockers Flying Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 1994, 43 hours before
- Departed: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,351 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,227 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAP, 55 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 19940420008549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940420008549A), Apr 20, 1994: Cessna 172K, Howes, SD, Substantial damage. Dropped package for canoe party in river at low altitude. Failed to pullup. Hit muddy river bank and flipped over.

## Other investigations on N46474 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC69D0468](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69D0468), May 7, 1969: Cessna 172K (N46474), Martin, SD, substantial damage

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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