# NTSB MKC87LA174: Cessna 120, N2061V, Creighton, NE, September 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1987, 20:40 local (Sep 20, 1987, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Creighton, NE
- Coordinates: 42.459011, -97.899879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4590&lon=-97.8999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34440
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34440/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - comm/nav equipment,transceiver - not installed (contributing factor)
  - radio communications - not possible
  - landing light(s) - not installed (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT DPTD HARVARD, NE., WITH A DEST OF WAUSA, NE ABT 1 HRS FLYING DIST TO THE NORTHEAST. THE DEPARTURE COMMENCED ABT 1 HR AND 40 MIN'S PRIOR TO DARK. THE PIC STATED HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG HEADWINDS ALONG THE ROUTE WHICH DELAYED HIS PROGRESS. THE ACFT ARRIVED AT WAUSA AFTER DARK. THE PIC RPTD NO RWY LTNG AVAILABLE. THE PIC THEN CHANGED HIS COURSE TO LAND AT BLOOMFIELD, NE. THE PIC STATED NO LTNG WAS AVAILABLE THERE EITHER. THE FLT WAS CONTINUED TO CREIGHTON, NE. AGAIN THE PIC RPTD NO LNDG LTGS AVAILABLE, BUT DUE TO A LOW FUEL STATE, THE PIC DECIDED TO LAND. THE PIC STATED THAT DURING THE LNDG ROLL IN THE DARK, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT TERRAIN AND FLIPPED INVERTED. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A LNDG LIGHT, NOR A RADIO. EACH ARPT WHERE A LNDG WAS ATTEMPTED, WERE EQUIPPED WITH RADIO XMSN ACTIVATED RWY LGTS. AN OPERABLE TRANSCEIVER IS MANDATORY TO ACTIVATE RWY LGTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2061V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2061V), registered now, S/N 14672, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14672
- Airframe hours: 1540
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dough Livgren
- Registered owner: Douglas Dale Livgren
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1987, 12 hours before
- Departed: 08K, HARVARD, NE
- Destination: WAUSA, NE
- Airport: 6K3, Creighton Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 693 total, 455 in this make and model, 625 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Observed at: SUX, 65 nm away

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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