# NTSB MKC85LA211: Cessna 172N, N2920E, Bridgeport, NE, September 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1985, 18:45 local (Sep 8, 1985, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, NE
- Coordinates: 41.660293, -103.090377 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6603&lon=-103.0904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA211

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - fence
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - abort - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

N2920E WAS TAKING OFF ON A 2,800 FT LONG, TURF RWY. THERE WAS A LT CROSSWIND OF 12 KTS AND THE DENSITY ALT WAS 5,000 FT. THE PLT SAID THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DIP IN THE RWY AND SWERVED TO THE LT MOMENTARILY. HE SAID HE REGAINED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BUT THEN DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF BECAUSE HE DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS ENOUGH RWY REMAINING. THE ACFT CONTINUED OFF THE END OF THE RWY, THROUGH A FENCE AND THEN COLLIDED WITH A COW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2920E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271373
- Airframe hours: 1338
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alliance Aero Service
- Registered owner: Robert W. Wehtje
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1985, 57 hours before
- Destination: AIA, ALLIANCE, NE
- Airport: 4V4, Bridgeport Muni, runway 10, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 50 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AIA, 25 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 19850907045879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850907045879A), Sep 7, 1985: Cessna 172N, Bridgeport, NE, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered after encountering a dip in turf runway. Aborted takeoff and ran thru a fence and struck a cow.

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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