# NTSB SEA93LA093: Cessna 172K, N79505, Pony, MT, April 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1993, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Pony, MT
- Coordinates: 45.739841, -111.920173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7398&lon=-111.9202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43009
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43009/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA093

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER PREFLT PLANNING BY THE PIC AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN TAKEOFF AIRSPEED DURING GROUND ROLL ON A SOFT SNOW COVERED AIRSTRIP.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT SNOW ON THE AIRSTRIP.

## 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
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF ON A 3700 FT. LONG SOD STRIP THAT WAS COVERED WITH ABOUT 3 INCHES OF NEW, SOFT, WET SNOW AND THE ACFT DID NOT ATTAIN TAKEOFF AIRSPEED DURING GROUND ROLL.  THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, STALLED/ MUSHED, AND IMPACTED AN EMBANKMENT OFF THE END OF THE STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79505](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79505-2013-06-10), registration cancelled 2013-06-10, S/N 17258137, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258137
- Airframe hours: 5655
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Big Sky Flying Club, Inc
- Registered owner: Big Sky Flying Club, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1993, 35 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: 5U3, ENNIS, MT
- Airport: NONE, Trails End Ranch, runway 18, 3,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 22 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BZN, 32 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 19930414009319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930414009319A), Apr 14, 1993: Cessna 172K, Pony, MT, Destroyed. Tried to depart in three inches of wet snow on Private strip. Failed to accelerate. Ran off end into a ditch.

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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