# NTSB DEN82DA025: Cessna 172, N758RD, Near Gillete, WY, January 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1982, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Gillete, WY
- Coordinates: 44.459945, -105.700454 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4599&lon=-105.7005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA025

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO MAKE AN AERIAL SURVEY FOR LIVESTOCK. DURING FLIGHT, THE OBSERVER NOTED SOME CATTLE IN A COVE. THE PILOT THEN TURNED AND DESCENDED TO ABOUT 100 FEET AGL. AFTER LEVELING, HE NOTED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OR TURN TO AVOID RISING TERRAIN. HE STATED THAT HE INSTINCTIVELY BANKED INTO A LEFT TURN. SECONDS LATER, HE COULD NO LONGER FEEL POSITIVE CONTROL OF THE AILERONS AND HE FELT THAT THE NOSE OF THE PLANE WAS BEING TUCKED UNDER. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK HILLY TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N758RD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N758RD-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N R1723292, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1723292
- Airframe hours: 1120
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Dutton Aviation
- Registered owner: Dutton Aviation
- Departed: GILLETE, WY
- Destination: GILLETE, WY
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,027 total, 506 in this make and model, 4,025 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820129000249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820129000249A), Jan 29, 1982: Cessna R172K, Gillette, WY, Substantial damage. Unable to outclimb rising terrain, stalled trying to make a 180 degree turn.

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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