# NTSB DEN85LA119: Cessna 172, N6495E, Opheim, MT, April 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1985, 18:00 local (Apr 20, 1985, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Opheim, MT
- Coordinates: 48.870197, -106.560134 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8702&lon=-106.5601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A WET-SOFT AIRSTRIP WHICH MADE THE TAKEOFF RUN LONGER THAN NORMAL. THE INITIAL CLIMB WAS AT MINIMUM AIRSPEED WHEN GUSTY WINDS CAUSED THE ACFT TO STALL. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6495E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6495E-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 46595, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46595
- Airframe hours: 2711
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1984, 55 hours before
- Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 19, 1,800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 177 in this make and model, 219 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850419013739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850419013739A), Apr 19, 1985: Cessna 172, Opheim, MT, Substantial damage. Lifted off wet grass runway at minimum airspeed. Aircraft stalled impacted ground and flipped over.

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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