# NTSB DEN87LA194: Cessna 172D, N2346U, Custer, SD, July 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1987, 15:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Custer, SD
- Coordinates: 43.759414, -103.599052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7594&lon=-103.5991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17279/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA194

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT AND HIS PLT-RATED PAX WERE LANDING ON RWY 7 (4700 FT X 50 FT) AT CUSTER COUNTY ARPT (5602 FT MSL), CUSTER, SD. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WINDS TO BE FROM 180 DEG AT 15 KTS. ANOTHER PLT AT THE ARPT ESTIMATED THE WINDS TO BE OUT OF THE SE AT 20 TO 25 KTS ALL THAT DAY. THE PLT SAID HE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RWY AND THE X-WIND BLEW HIM TO THE LEFT. THE PLT TOLD FAA OFFICIALS THAT AS HE STARTED TO FLARE FOR LANDING, THE ACFT STARTED DRIFTING TO THE LEFT. AFTER THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN, IT DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A ROCK PILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2346U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2346U-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N 17249946, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249946
- Airframe hours: 2309
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Christonson Farms, Inc.
- Registered owner: Lauren Christonson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1987, 12 hours before
- Departed: SD14, DRAPER, SD
- Airport: SD01, Custer County, runway 7, 4,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 220 total, 220 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

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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