# NTSB DEN83LA100: Cessna 172N, N6322D, Martinsdale, MT, April 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1983, 13:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Martinsdale, MT
- Coordinates: 46.469215, -110.529701 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4692&lon=-110.5297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA100

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE INSTRUCTOR PLT WAS ON A PERSONAL/BUSINESS FLT WITH A STUDENT PLT AS A PASSENGER. A LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD THAT HAD BEEN USED BY CROP DUSTER PLTS. THE PLT HAD BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF POWER LINES. HE SAW SOME POWER LINES & HAD LANDED SHORT OF THEIR POSITION; HOWEVER, HE DID NTO SEE THE TELEPHONE LINES THAT CROSSED THE ROAD AT ANOTHER LOCATION. DURING A SUBSEQUENT TAKEOFF DOWN A GRADE, THE TELEPHONE LINES WERE OBSCURED BY SUN REFLECTING OFF SWOW COVERED MOUNTAINS IN THE BACKGROUND. AFTER LIFTOFF, THE LEFT GEAR HIT A TELEPHONE LINE & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED TO THE LEFT & CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6322D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6322D-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 17272716, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272716
- Airframe hours: 2101
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Valley Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 10, 1983, 48 hours before
- Destination: 5UB, GERALDINE, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,893 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5,239 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LWT, 70 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 19830419015999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830419015999A), Apr 19, 1983: Cessna 172N, Martinsdale, MT, Destroyed. Struck a telephone line on takeoff from a road. Reported as a training flight. No dual given. Possible air taxi.

## Other investigations on N6322D (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 ANC95LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA010), Nov 12, 1994: Cessna 172 (N6322D), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. A CROSSWIND AND ICY RUNWAY CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

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.