# NTSB CHI94LA261: Cessna 172, N35790, Aberdeen, SD, August 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 1994, 00:25 local (05:25 UTC) - Place: Aberdeen, SD - Location: 45.4468° N, 98.4224° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ABERDEEN RGNL (ABR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4468&lon=-98.4224&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9622 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9622/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA261 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A related factor is the dark night conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THE APPROACH TO LANDING LOOKED GOOD. WHEN THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, IT SUDDENLY VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A RUNWAY LIGHT. THE PILOT STATED HE APPLIED '...FULL LEFT AILERON AND FULL FLARE...' TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE VEERED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY AND CAME TO REST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RUNWAY WITH THE NOSEWHEEL COLLAPSED. THE PILOT STATED HE THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A BLOW OUT OR ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 0025 LOCAL IN WHAT THE PILOT DESCRIBED AS DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 1994, at 0025 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N35790, operated by a private pilot on a personal flight, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Aberdeen Regional Airport, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The private pilot and the one passenger reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the night flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Rapid City, South Dakota approximately 2115. The pilot stated he experienced a loss of electrical power while en route to Aberdeen. When the airplane arrived in the vicinity of the Aberdeen Regional Airport, the pilot attempted to establish radio contact without success. He stated he circled the airport several times to obtain wind and runway information, then began an approach to land on Runway 17. The pilot stated it was a dark night. The pilot reported the approach looked good, but when the airplane touched down it suddenly veered to the right and departed the runway. The pilot stated he tried to regain directional control by adding "...full left aileron, full flare to lighten load on right..." The airplane struck a runway light, then veered back to the left. The nosewheel collapsed and the airplane came to rest on the runway. The pilot stated he thought a tire blew on landing, and the passenger reported she heard a "pop" at the time of touchdown. Postaccident investigation revealed although there was damage to the tire and valve stem, there was no evidence of tire blow out. The tire was reported to be in good condition, with slight wear. An FAA Inspector's statement is appended. Maintenance personnel reported when the master switch was activated during postaccident examination, the battery power was sufficient to retract the flaps. The alternator was removed from the airplane and bench tested, with no anomalies noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35790](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35790), registered now, S/N 17256963, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17256963 - Airframe hours: 6811 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Albert Lea Aircraft, Inc. - Registered owner: Albert Lea Aircraft, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special) - Departed: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD - Airport: ABR, Aberdeen Regional Airport, runway 17, 3,863 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 97 total, 86 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABR, 1 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 19940802019959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940802019959A), Aug 2, 1994: Cessna 172I, Aberdeen, SD, Substantial damage. Reported lost electric power. Made hard night. Lost control. Hit runway light. No electrical anomalies found. 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.