# NTSB DEN85LA100: Cessna 172, N7979B, Wesbter, SD, March 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1985, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Wesbter, SD
- Coordinates: 45.329437, -97.520042 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3294&lon=-97.5200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA100

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - touch-and-go - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT MADE A TOUCH AND GO LANDING ON A GRASS RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED 6 FEET IN THE AIR DURING LANDING AND A GO AROUND WAS INITIATED. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN ON A COLLISION COURSE WITH AIRPORT OBSTACLES. THE PILOT INITIATED A LEFT TURN, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE STUDENT PILOT SAID THE INITIAL LANDING BOUNCE WAS A RESULT OF CROSSING A DRAINAGE DITCH IN THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7979B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7979B-1991-04-30), registration cancelled 1991-04-30, S/N 29779 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 48479
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Webster Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 1985, 20 hours before
- Airport: 1D7, Webster, runway 19, 1,800 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19850319012919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850319012919A), Mar 19, 1985: Cessna 172, Webster, SD, Destroyed. Bounced on landing, go around, stalled, nosed dived and flipped over on its back.

## Other investigations on N7979B (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 FTW67F0453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67F0453), Feb 14, 1967: Cessna 172 (N7979B), Carlisle, AR, 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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