# NTSB DEN83LA018: Cessna 172, N733UE, St. Ignatius, MT, November 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1982, 01:33 local (08:33 UTC)
- Place: St. Ignatius, MT
- Location: 47.3250° N, 114.0808° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ST IGNATIUS (52S), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3250&lon=-114.0808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - roll/run
  - door,passenger - open (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE PASSENGER DOOR OPENED BEFORE LIFT OFF. HE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THE AIRCRAFT IN WET SNOW AND ICE AND SLID OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO A DITCH. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT HAD A PAST HISTORY OF THE ENTRY DOOR LATCH "POPPING OPEN" DURING FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733UE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733UE), registered now, S/N 17268552 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268552
- Airframe hours: 91
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Barbara J. Pierson
- Registered owner: Barbara J. Pierson
- Departed: 52S, ST. IGNATIUS, MT
- Destination: 52S, ST. IGNATIUS, MT
- Airport: 52S, St. Ignatius, runway 26, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 186 total, 82 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 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 19821112058529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821112058529A), Nov 12, 1982: Cessna 172N, St Ignatius, MT, Substantial damage. Cabin door popped open on the takeoff roll. Aborted takeoff. Unable to stop on snow covered runway. Ran off end.

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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