# NTSB FTW85LA143: Cessna 172-N-II, N52920, Markham, TX, March 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1985, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Markham, TX
- Coordinates: 28.959865, -96.060836 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9599&lon=-96.0608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA143

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,wind direction indicator - unavailable
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON GO-AROUND FROM AN INADVERTANT DOWN-WIND APPROACH TO A CROP DUSTER STRIP. THE PILOT FAILED TO RETRACT THE FLAPS, AND THE HEAVILY-LADEN AIRCRAFT COULD NOT ACCELERATE TO CLIMB. THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY UNDER POWERLINES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY BUT COLLIDED WITH A WIRE FENCE. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AFTER GROUND CONTACT, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N52920 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172-N-II
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-72497
- Airframe hours: 1617
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Als Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 1984, 69 hours before
- Departed: T26, BAY CITY, TX
- Airport: Markham, runway 36, 3,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 191 total, 42 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSX, 18 nm away

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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