# NTSB DEN90LA084: Cessna 172I, N35485, Isabel, SD, March 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1990, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Isabel, SD
- Coordinates: 45.389076, -101.4207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3891&lon=-101.4207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA084

## Probable cause

PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A WHIRLWIND WHILE ON FINAL TO HIS RANCH AIRSTRIP. HE SAID THE TURBULENCE WAS SEVERE AND THE PLANE LANDED HARD, DAMAGING THE LANDING GEAR, THE PROPELLER, AND TEARING THE LEFT WING LOOSE AT THE ROOT. THE PILOT ORIGINALLY REPORTED 'MINOR' DAMAGE, BUT LATER REPORTED 'SUBSTANTIAL' DAMAGE TO THE FAA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35485](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35485-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 17256795, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172I
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256795
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keith Dorsey
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,575 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900311005799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900311005799A), Mar 11, 1990: Cessna 172I, Isabel, SD, Substantial damage. Caught in a whirlwind on short final. Impacted runway.

## Other investigations on N35485 (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN72FQA22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72FQA22), Oct 4, 1971: Cessna 172 (N35485), Bernalillo, NM, substantial damage

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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