# NTSB DEN89LA021: Cessna 175, N7403M, Fort Peck, MT, October 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1988, 19:00 local (Oct 27, 1988, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Peck, MT
- Coordinates: 47.999252, -106.43927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9993&lon=-106.4393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA021

## Analysis

THE PLT ENCTRD HVY SNOW AT NIGHT & TURNED BACK TO FIND A NEARBY LANDING STRIP THAT HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH. HE RECOGNIZED A RANCH HOUSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STRIP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE LANDING AREA. HE BEGAN TO CIRCLE IN HOPES THAT SOMEONE WOULD TURN ON THE RWY LIGHTS. DURING A TURN, THE ACFT CRASHED ON RISING TERRAIN WHEN THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - performed
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7403M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7403M-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 55703, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55703
- Airframe hours: 2193
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300-A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Skyberg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 1988, 3 hours before
- Departed: 4U6, CIRCLE, MT
- Destination: GGW, GLASGOW, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 261 total, 181 in this make and model, 213 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark

## 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 19881026048279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881026048279A), Oct 26, 1988: Cessna 175, Fork Peck, MT, Substantial damage. Ran into heavy snow at night. Tried to land on private strip. Wing hit ground turning final. Aircraft cartwheeled.

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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