# NTSB DEN86LA064: Cessna 172P, N51238, Fargo, ND, January 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1986, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Fargo, ND
- Location: 46.9206° N, 96.8157° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HECTOR INTL (FAR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9206&lon=-96.8157&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED A SNOWBANK FOLLOWING A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. THIS WAS THE PLT'S FIRST LANDING ON HIS SECOND SOLO FLT. PREVIOUS TO THIS LANDING, THE STUDENT HAD BEEN PRACTICING LANDING ON RWY 17 WITH HIS CFI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51238](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51238), registered now, S/N 17274287, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274287
- Airframe hours: 1480
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald M. Whaley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 14, 1985
- Airport: FAR, Hector Field, runway 17, 9,546 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR

## 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 19860113000639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860113000639A), Jan 13, 1986: Cessna 172P, Fargo, ND, Substantial damage. Made landings on 17 with instructor. On first solo, tower switched runway. Landed,veered to side, hit a snowbank.

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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