# NTSB DEN87LA010: Cessna 172M, N9051H, Richardton, ND, October 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1986, 17:20 local (Oct 27, 1986, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Richardton, ND
- Coordinates: 46.879161, -102.310737 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8792&lon=-102.3107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - , pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON AN UNLIGHTED DIRT STRIP AT DUSK. HE STATED HE INTENTIONALLY FLEW LOW BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING DARK. ON FINAL APCH ACFT STRUCK TREES AND THEN IMPACTED THE TERRAIN, NOSING OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9051H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265920
- Airframe hours: 3024
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph J. Haag
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1986, 33 hours before
- Departed: FARGO, ND
- Destination: RICHARDTON, ND
- Airport: runway 27, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 514 total, 219 in this make and model, 514 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Observed at: DIK, 25 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 19861026051569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861026051569A), Oct 26, 1986: Cessna 172M, Richardton, ND, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck trees during a dust approach to an unlit airstrip. Pilot reported windshield obscured by bugs.

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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