# NTSB SEA74FTA04: Cessna 185, N9920X, Billings, MT, July 27, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 27, 1973
- Place: Billings, MT · BILLINGS, MT
- Location: 45.7833° N, 108.5007° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Billings, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7833&lon=-108.5007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 12, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA74FTA04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74FTA04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2903  73/7/27  NR.BILLINGS,MONT      CESSNA 185          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 45, 9375
        TIME - 1530                    N9920X              PX-  0  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 TOTAL HOURS, 300 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BLAINE RANCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BILLINGS,MONT               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        REMARKS- DITCH CUT ACROSS RWY ON PRIVATE STRIP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9920X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9920X), registered now, S/N 185-0120, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Blaine Ranch

## 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 19730727021309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730727021309A), Jul 27, 1973: Cessna 185, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Ditch cut across rwy on private strip.

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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