# NTSB MKC86LA097: Cessna 172F, N7921U, Van Buren, MO, April 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1986, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Van Buren, MO
- Location: 37.0143° N, 91.0071° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Buren, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0143&lon=-91.0071&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34168/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA097

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATES THAT HE HAD BEEN ADVISED OF UTILITY LINES ON BOTH ENDS OF THE AIRSTRIP, AND THAT SEVERAL AIRCRAFT HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED LANDING PROBLEMS THERE. HE FURTHER STATES THAT AS HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND HE WAS CAUGHT IN A DOWNDRAFT HE COULD NOT FLY OUT OF AND LANDED IN SOME TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7921U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7921U-1992-09-16), registration cancelled 1992-09-16, S/N 17251921 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251921
- Airframe hours: 3800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elmer Dennis Clardy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1986
- Departed: H57, BISMARCK, MO
- Destination: VAN BUREN, MO
- Airport: Bass Rock, runway 27, 2,400 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 315 total, 311 in this make and model, 281 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIH, 82 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 19860427014139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860427014139A), Apr 27, 1986: Cessna 172F, Van Buren, MO, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit trees during attempted go around. Pilot claimed turbulence caused crash.

## Other investigations on N7921U (2)

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.

- [NTSB FTW69D0404](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0404), Feb 9, 1969: Cessna 172 (N7921U), Shallowater, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW67F0422](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67F0422), Jan 21, 1967: Cessna 172 (N7921U), Buchanon Dam, TX, substantial damage

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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