# NTSB MKC85LA063: Cessna 172M, N61868, Fort Madison, IA, February 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1985, 15:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Fort Madison, IA
- Coordinates: 40.609764, -91.349334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6098&lon=-91.3493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA063

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AN INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH A GUST OF WIND DURING LANDING RESULTED IN A SHARP LOSS OF ALTITUDE AND A BOUNCED LANDING. CONSEQUENTLY A SECOND GUST ON ROLLOUT FOLLOWED BY THE PLTS LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL RESULTED IN THE ACFT DEPARTING THE RWY AND COLLIDING WITH A SNOW BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61868](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61868), registered now, S/N 17264854, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264854
- Airframe hours: 3039
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Executive, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1984, 63 hours before
- Departed: K27
- Destination: K27
- Airport: K27, Fort Madison, runway 34, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 13 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRL, 12 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 19850216005899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850216005899A), Feb 16, 1985: Cessna 172M, Ft Madison, IA, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing, go around, swerved off side of runway, hit snowbank. Instructor counseled about crosswinds.

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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