# NTSB MKC82DA045: Cessna 172N, N73828, Thayer, MO, March 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1982, 18:00 local (Mar 18, 1982, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Thayer, MO
- Coordinates: 36.519603, -91.540336 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5196&lon=-91.5403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72807
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72807/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA045

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuselage,seat - not engaged (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE PILOT'S SEAT SLID FULL AFT JUST AS THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RUDDERS OR POWERPLANT CONTROLS AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT. THE PLANE CRASHED INTO TREES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR DEFICIENCY WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73828](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73828-2017-02-04), registration cancelled 2017-02-04, S/N 17267704, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- 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: 17267704
- Airframe hours: 725
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chester W. Sergent
- Registered owner: Chester W. Sergent
- Departed: 42M, THAYER, MO
- Destination: HARRISON, AR
- Airport: 42M, Thayer Memorial, runway 27, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 69 total, 69 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °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 19820317004239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820317004239A), Mar 17, 1982: Cessna 172N, Thayer, MO, Destroyed. Seat was not properly secured and slid full aft during takeoff causing crash.

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.
