# NTSB FTW88DPJ03: Cessna 172M, N20129, Norman, OK, February 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1988, 14:02 local (20:02 UTC)
- Place: Norman, OK
- Coordinates: 35.249084, -97.459129 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2491&lon=-97.4591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22453
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DPJ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22453/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DPJ03

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PILOT RETRACTED FLAPS DURING GO AROUND AND AIRCRAFT SETTLED INTO TREES AND WAS DESTROYED. FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS WERE NOT WEARING THE AVAILABLE SHOULDER HARNESSES. THE ACFT WAS LANDING WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND. DUE TO SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES THE PLT NEVER COMPLETED HIS ACC REPORT. A PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THE PLT RETRACTED THE FLAPS JUST OVER THE TREES AND THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THEM. THE INVESTIGATORS ELEVATION DRAWING OF THE ACC SHOWS THE ACFT OVER THE TREES AND THEN DESCENDING INTO THEM. NO MALFUNCTIONS OF THE ACFT WERE REPORTED OR DISCOVERED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20129](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20129-1989-03-04), registration cancelled 1989-03-04, S/N 17261032 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17261023
- Airframe hours: 2158
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dollar House Moving, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1987
- Departed: OK23, SAYRE, OK
- Destination: NORMAN, OK
- Airport: Dollar Strip, runway 13, 1,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19880224003399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880224003399A), Feb 24, 1988: Cessna STC172, Norman, OK, Destroyed. Too high on final for the short grass strip. Began a late go around and crashed into trees off end of the runway.

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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