# NTSB MKC85FCD02: Cessna 172 M, N20517, Emmetsburg, IA, September 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1985, 11:12 local (16:12 UTC)
- Place: Emmetsburg, IA
- Coordinates: 43.10926, -94.679977 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1093&lon=-94.6800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FCD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FCD02

## 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
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A TURKEY FARM FIELD AFTER LOSING ALT DURING TAKEOFF. A WITNESS SAID THE ACFT SETTLED AS THOUGH THE PLT WAS RAISING THE FLAPS AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT LOST ALT IN A RT TURN, AND LANDED 1 MILE SOUTH OF THE ARPT POST ACC INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE ACFT WAS 264 LBS OVERWEIGHT AND THE CG EXCEEDED THE AFT LIMIT. THE DA WAS 1950 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20517](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20517-1988-11-23), registration cancelled 1988-11-23, S/N 17261355 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17261355
- Airframe hours: 1547
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: William F. & Brenda J Stocklas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1985, 73 hours before
- Departed: EGQ, EMMETSBURG, IA
- Destination: KANSAS CITY, MO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: EGQ, Emmtsburg

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 195 total, 7 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPW, 21 nm away

## 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 19850908043549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850908043549A), Sep 8, 1985: Cessna 172M, Emmetsburg, IA, Destroyed. Aircraft began to settle after takeoff. Flipped over after landing in field. Aircraft 265 pounds over gross weight.

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.
