# NTSB FTW79FQD04: Cessna 172N, N739SS, Marfa, TX, December 27, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: December 27, 1978
- Place: Marfa, TX · MARFA, TX
- Location: 30.3107° N, 104.0255° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marfa, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3107&lon=-104.0255&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FQD04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FQD04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3853  78/12/27   MARFA,TX            CESSNA 172N         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 48, 112
        TIME - 2230                    N739SS              PX-  0  3  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 12 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MARFA MUNICIPAL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MARFA,TX                    LUBBOCK,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ICE-WINDSHIELD
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739SS-2009-09-15), registration cancelled 2009-09-15, S/N 17270774, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Marfa Municipal

## 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 19781227040909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781227040909A), Dec 27, 1978: Cessna 172D, Marfa, TX, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.