# NTSB DEN90LA087: Cessna 172M, N80830, Three Forks, MT, March 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1990, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Three Forks, MT
- Coordinates: 45.90974, -111.429039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9097&lon=-111.4290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA087

## Probable cause

PILOT'S MISJUDGED LANDING FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE DURING LANDING. THE PLANE DROPPED ONTO THE RUNWAY, BOUNCED INTO THE AIR, AND LANDED HARD. THE PILOT TAXIED TO THE RAMP, VISUALLY INSPECTED THE PLANE, AND REPORTED MINOR DAMAGE. THE NOSE GEAR WAS BENT, THE FIREWALL WAS DAMAGED AND RIVETS WERE POPPED IN THE SKIN. AN FAA INSPECTOR LATER DISCOVERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80830](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80830), registered now, S/N 17266764, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266764
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Manhattan Flying Tigers, Inc.
- Departed: BZN, BOZEMAN, MT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 9S5, Three Forks

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,900 total, 88 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 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 19900321007959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900321007959A), Mar 21, 1990: Cessna 172M, Three Forks, MT, Substantial damage. Landed hard and bounced 10 feet into air,dropped to runway and taxied in. Found popped rivets bent firewall.

## Other investigations on N80830 (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 SEA01LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA122), Jun 27, 2001: Cessna 172M (N80830), Bozeman, MT, minor damage. Probable cause: The pilot of another aircraft failed to maintain clearance while maneuvering for a formation flight. An updraft was a factor.

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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