# NTSB SEA91FA246: Cessna C-172G, N1359F, Red Lodge, MT, September 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1991, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Red Lodge, MT
- Coordinates: 45.190017, -109.239486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1900&lon=-109.2395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA246

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF CONTROL BY THE INSTRUCTOR DUE TO THE IMPROPER RECOVERY ALTITUDE SELECTED TO TERMINATE A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING, THE EXCESSIVE PULL-UP BY THE STUDENT DUE TO HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE, AND THE DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION OF THE INSTRUCTOR.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FLAP AND ELEVATOR TRIM SETTINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - pull-up - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTR PILOT HAD THE STU PILOT MAKE HIS FIRST RECOVERY FROM A SIMULATED FORCED LDG AT 150-200 FT ABOVE THE GND. THE STU PILOT STALLED THE ACFT DURING THE MANEUVER AND THE 74 YR OLD INSTR PILOT COULD NOT RECOVER FROM THE STALL BEFORE THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GND.  EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE ACFT WAS TRIMMED NOSE UP AND THE FLAPS WERE EXTENDED 10 DEGREES.  THE STU PILOT HAD 2 HRS TOTAL FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1359F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1359F-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 17254854, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254854
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ray H. Judd
- Registered owner: Red Lodge Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RED, RED LODGE, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,175 total, 2,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL, 50 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 19910920042079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910920042079A), Sep 20, 1991: Cessna 172G, Red Lodge, MT, Destroyed. Student told go around on simulated forced landing. Pitched up and stalled. CFI reported student froze on controls.

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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