# NTSB MKC89LA049: Cessna 172, N3799R, Chadron, NE, January 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1989, 18:45 local (Jan 9, 1989, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Chadron, NE
- Coordinates: 42.820152, -103.000221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8202&lon=-103.0002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA049

## Probable cause

THE PLT FAILED TO DEVOTE FULL TIME & ATTENTION TO FLYING THE ACFT, WITH A RESULTING LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ON A DARK NIGHT, THE PVT PILOT SAID HE TURNED AROUND TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING FROM THE BACK SEAT. HE BECAME AWARE OF THE ENGINE'S RPM INCREASING, AND WHEN HE TURNED AROUND FACING FORWARD, HE COULD NOT SEE THE HORIZON. HE STARTED TO SCAN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TERRAIN, LEFT WING FIRST. THE WING FOLDED UNDER THE FUSELAGE AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID ABOUT 120 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3799R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3799R-1991-05-29), registration cancelled 1991-05-29, S/N 17255599 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255599
- Airframe hours: 5115
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: L&D Aero Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1988, 59 hours before
- Departed: CDR, CHADRON, NE
- Destination: CSP, CASPER, WY
- Airport: CDR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 246 total, 94 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 7 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDR, 1 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 19890108000279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890108000279A), Jan 8, 1989: Cessna 172H, Chadron, NE, Substantial damage. Looked inside of aircraft on night takeoff lost VFR reference and descended back to ground folding the left wing.

## Other investigations on N3799R (3)

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 MKC80DCJ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80DCJ04), Dec 9, 1979: Cessna 172 (N3799R), Harrison, NE, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC75DCJ49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75DCJ49), Mar 30, 1975: Cessna 172 (N3799R), Scottsbluff, NE, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN72FTE54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72FTE54), Jan 20, 1972: Cessna 172H (N3799R), Greeley, CO, 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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