# NTSB SEA91LA049: Cessna 172M, N13654, Helena, MT, February 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1991, 15:06 local (22:06 UTC)
- Place: Helena, MT
- Coordinates: 48.560894, -109.730331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5609&lon=-109.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41387/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA049

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE ON LANDING INADEQUATE RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AND RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

DURING A LANDING, THE PILOT FLARED HIGH AND THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND BOUNCED. THE PILOT APPLIED POWER, AND THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AGAIN AND VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WING AND PROPELLER COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY AND CAME TO REST NOSE DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N13654 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262914
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sleeping Giant Flying Club
- Registered owner: Sleeping Giant Flying Club
- Departed: 8U9, TOWNSEND, MT
- Airport: HLN, Helena, runway 27, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 101 total, 99 in this make and model, 66 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910207001949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910207001949A), Feb 7, 1991: Cessna 172M, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. Flared high came down tail first,bounced and veered off runway breaking off the nose wheel.

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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