# NTSB SEA88LA177: Cessna 172M, N8895V, Battle Mountain, NV, September 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1988, 11:39 local (18:39 UTC)
- Place: Battle Mountain, NV
- Coordinates: 40.470329, -117.030372 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4703&lon=-117.0304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA177

## 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
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,spark plug - worn (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND 200 FEET AGL, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT, AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT CLIMBING AND POWER LINES WERE IN THE FLIGHT PATH. DURING THE TURN, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,500 FEET. THE WINDS WERE 17 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS WITHIN 50 POUNDS OF GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED NO ABNORMALITIES EXCEPT WORN SPARKS PLUGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8895V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8895V-2004-08-20), registration cancelled 2004-08-20, S/N 17264253, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264253
- Airframe hours: 3913
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Mcphie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 1988, 20 hours before
- Destination: AUN, AUBURN, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BAM, Lander County, runway 30, 7,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 220 total, 116 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 17 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAM, 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 19880910038149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880910038149A), Sep 10, 1988: Cessna 172M, Battle Mountain, NV, Destroyed. Unable to clear wires on climbout. Descended in a low level turn to avoid wires. Wing hit ground plane cartwheeled.

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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