# NTSB FTW89LA058: Cessna 172, N734DR, Marietta, OK, February 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1989, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Marietta, OK
- Location: 33.9362° N, 97.1247° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marietta, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9362&lon=-97.1247&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA058

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SELECT THE PROPER RUNWAY, WHICH RESULTED IN A DOWNWIND LANDING AND AN OVERRUN OF THE RUNWAY. THE GUSTY TAILWIND, DITCH, AND RAILING (FENCE) WERE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734DR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N734DR), registered now, S/N 17268778, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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
- Serial number: 17268778
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steffen, Thomas E.
- Departed: 8F7, DECATUR, TX
- Destination: T40
- Airport: 8F7, Mcgehee Catfish, runway 17, 2,450 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 91 total, 18 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890226002589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890226002589A), Feb 26, 1989: Cessna 172N, Decatur, TX, Substantial damage. Landed downwind. Unable to stop on grass strip ran off end struck a ditch and flipped over. Wind gust to 20 knots.

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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