# NTSB SEA92LA028: Cessna C-172G, N4244L, Jackson, MT, December 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1991, 12:39 local (19:39 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, MT
- Coordinates: 45.310909, -113.349502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3109&lon=-113.3495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41616
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41616/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA028

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE IMPROPER FLAP SETTING, THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, LACK OF EXPERIENCE BY THE PILOT, AND DOWNDRAFFT WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING UP A MOUNTAIN RIDGE AT A LOW ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND, SEARCHING FOR CATTLE, WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFT WINDS.  HE ATTEPTED TO TURN DOWNSLOPE AT A LOW AIRSPEED AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED.  THE PILOT HAD 17 DEGREES FLAPS EXTENDED AND THE ACFT WAS NEAR GROSS WEIGHT.  THE ELEVATION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 7500 FT. MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4244L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4244L-1993-04-21), registration cancelled 1993-04-21, S/N 17254313 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254313
- Airframe hours: 4734
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Butte Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Butte Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 24, 1991, 27 hours before
- Departed: BTM, BUTTE, MT
- Destination: BTM, BUTTE, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total, 65 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Observed at: 27U, 18 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 19911214056279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911214056279A), Dec 14, 1991: Cessna 172G, Jackson, MT, Destroyed. Stalled into trees on mountain ridge flying low looking for cattle. No prior mountain flying experience.

## Other investigations on N4244L (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 SEA76DTA21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DTA21), May 31, 1976: Cessna 172 (N4244L), Harlowtown, MT, 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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