# NTSB SEA91LA228: Cessna 172N, N2396E, Butte, MT, August 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1991, 14:02 local (20:02 UTC)
- Place: Butte, MT
- Coordinates: 45.9995, -112.440963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9995&lon=-112.4410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA228

## Probable cause

UNFAVORABLE WINDS.  FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE HAD JUST ENTERED THE FLARE FOR LANDING WHEN IT SUDDENLY DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER AND RETRACTED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS WHEN THE AIRPLANE YAWED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AND SLAMMED TO THE GROUND.  A PILOT WHO LANDED JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE STATED THAT A DUST DEVIL WAS SEEN IN THE LOCAL AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2396E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2396E-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 17271265, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-71265
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Butte Aviation
- Departed: BTM, BUTTE, MT
- Airport: BTM, Bert Mooney, runway 11, 5,101 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 63 total, 61 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910831037469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910831037469A), Aug 31, 1991: Cessna 172N, Butte, MT, Substantial damage. Flared for landing. Wind gust blew aircraft off runway tried go around but slammed down hard. Dust devil in area.

## Other investigations on N2396E (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 SEA85LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA165), Jul 15, 1985: Cessna 172 (N2396E), Pacatello, ID, 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.

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