# NTSB SEA02LA001: Cessna 172, N3910F, Lindsay, MT, October 1, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 1, 2001, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Lindsay, MT - Coordinates: 47.27927, -105.179603 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2793&lon=-105.1796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- Helena FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53587 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53587/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA001 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an altitude clear of terrain. A factor was intentional low altitude flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was flying in cruise configuration at 300 feet AGL when the aircraft collided with the terrain. He reported that a communication radio was making wind noise, and he was attempting to adjust it at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he could not remember the details surrounding the accident sequence. There was no report of mechanical malfunction or failure at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On October 1, 2001, about 1700 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172, N3910F, was destroyed when it collided with terrain near Lindsay, Montana. The airplane was owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed and activated for the cross-country flight. The flight originated from Glendive, Montana (GDV), approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot's planned destination was Helena, (HLN), Montana. During a telephone interview with a NTSB investigator on October 1st, the pilot reported that he was adjusting the airplane's radio while in a cruise configuration at an altitude of 300 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot reported in a written statement that the communications radio on the copilot side was making noise due to airflow from the vent, and he was attempting to adjust its position just prior to the accident. He reported that he remembered "pulling up" just before the airplane collided with terrain. The pilot stated that he was unable to recall any of the detailed events leading up to the accident. The pilot reported in a written statement that prior to the flight, he amended the flight plan cruise altitude from 6500 feet to 4500 feet. The pilot reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form no mechanical malfunction or failure at the time of the accident. The automated weather observation at Glendive, Montana (GDV), at 1655 reported winds from 160 degrees at 6 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, and clear skies. Glendive is approximately 25 nautical miles west of the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3910F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3910F-2010-04-21), registration cancelled 2010-04-21, S/N 36810, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36810 - Airframe hours: 3100 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 2001, 100 hours before - Departed: GDV, Glendive, MT - Destination: HLN, Helena, MT - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 1, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 339 total, 95 in this make and model, 272 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: GDV, 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 20011001028509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011001028509A), Oct 1, 2001: Cessna 172, Lindsay, MT, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated he was flying at a low altitude. He reached across to adjust the right side air vent and looked up to see the aircraft descending. He was… ## Other investigations on N3910F (1) 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 SEA68D0209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68D0209), Nov 11, 1967: Cessna 172 (N3910F), Wolf Point, MT, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.