# NTSB FTW85LA320: Cessna 172N, N738XZ, Sallisaw, OK, August 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1985, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Sallisaw, OK
- Coordinates: 35.460414, -94.799133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4604&lon=-94.7991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA320
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA320

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - undetermined (cause)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT SALLISAW MUNICIPAL ARPT. EQUIPMENT WAS ON THE RWY AND THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A GRASS STRIP NEXT TO THE RWY. HE TOUCHED DOWN AND DURING ROLLOUT THOUGHT HE COULD NOT STOP ON THE STRIP AND INITIATED AN ABORTED LANDING. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AT THE END OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738XZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738XZ-1994-03-09), registration cancelled 1994-03-09, S/N 17270330 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270330
- Airframe hours: 487
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Motley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1985, 15 hours before
- Departed: SGF, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Airport: 2M3, Sallisaw Municipal, runway 9, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 560 total, 505 in this make and model, 520 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850814038909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850814038909A), Aug 14, 1985: Cessna 172N, Sallisaw, OK, Substantial damage. Aborted landing and struck small trees at runway end.

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.