# NTSB FTW85LA115: Cessna 172K, N79043, Mccoy, TX, February 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1985, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Mccoy, TX
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA115

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD DEPARTED THE GALA RANCH STRIP & WAS FLYING AT APRX 100 FT AGL TO SHOW HIS PASSENGERS THEIR RANCH PROPERTY. WHILE IN SLOW FLIGHT WITH THE FLAPS DEPLOYED, THE PLT ENTERED A DOWNWIND SKIDDING LEFT TURN. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY STALLED & IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEFT WING LOW, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79043](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79043-1986-09-10), registration cancelled 1986-09-10, S/N 17257838 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16257838
- Airframe hours: 3564
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Da Fon Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1984, 47 hours before
- Departed: MCCOY, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,294 total, 635 in this make and model, 1,225 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 45 nm away

## 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 19850208002899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850208002899A), Feb 8, 1985: Cessna 172K, Mccoy, TX, Substantial damage. In slow flight at low altitude,aircraft stalled and impacted ground left wing and nose low.

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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