# NTSB MKC89LA032: Cessna 172, N65642, Little Falls, MN, December 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1988, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Little Falls, MN
- Coordinates: 45.96973, -94.359825 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9697&lon=-94.3598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA032

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - touch-and-go - initiated
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING A TOUCH AND GO LDG DURING A STUDENT SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLT, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST DURING THE TAKEOFF PHASE ON THE SNOW PACKED RUNWAY. THE STUDENT PILOT SAID HE HAD NEVER LANDED AND TAKEN OFF UNDER THOSE RUNWAY CONDITIONS. THE ACFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT, COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK AND FLIPPED INVERTED, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65642](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65642-2011-11-30), registration cancelled 2011-11-30, S/N 17275795, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275795
- Airframe hours: 2935
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flying Scotchman
- Registered owner: Crowley, James J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: MIC, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Airport: LXL, Little Falls, runway 12, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 52 total, 52 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRD, 30 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 19881202052459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881202052459A), Dec 2, 1988: Cessna 172P, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Lost control landing first time on a snowpacked runway. Hit a snowbank and overturned. Lacked proper supervision.

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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