# NTSB SEA97LA185: Cessna 172L, N7925G, Townsend, MT, August 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 1997, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Townsend, MT - Coordinates: 46.479331, -111.340705 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4793&lon=-111.3407&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42671 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42671/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA185 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot reported that while circling cattle at about 1,200 feet to 1,500 feet above ground level near a mountain range, the pilot-rated passenger, who was flying the airplane at the time, began a 500 feet per minute climb. The passenger stated that the airplane felt sluggish and the pilot took over the controls and added full power. The airspeed decreased and the pilot leveled the airplane's wings and lowered the nose to a level attitude. The airspeed continued to decrease and the pilot lowered the nose and headed toward lower terrain. The pilot stated that the airplane stalled, which he recovered from prior to landing. During the landing roll on rough terrain, the airplane nosed over. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 1997, at 1230 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N7925G, registered to and operated by Montana Air Service as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain near Townsend, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, a pilot rated passenger, and two passengers were not injured. The flight had originated from Helena, Montana, about one hour prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that while en route back to Helena, he spotted some cattle along a fence line. The pilot reported that he was looking for a missing bull of his, and decided to approached the mountain range at 6,500 feet mean sea level, and about 2,500 to 3,000 feet above ground level to determine if there were down drafts present. The pilot reported that there were none at this time and descended to 1,200 to 1,500 feet above ground level to circle the cattle. The pilot stated that the pilot rated passenger was flying the airplane at this time and after circling, initiated a climb of 500 feet per minute. The passenger stated that the airplane felt sluggish and the pilot took over the controls and applied full power. The pilot noted that the rpm was at 2,300 rpm and the airspeed was 95 knots then dropped to 70 knots. The pilot leveled the airplane and decreased the climb to level attitude. The aircraft was headed toward lower terrain and the pilot initiated a gradual descent, however, the airspeed continued to decrease. The pilot selected a landing spot and stated that the airplane stalled, which he recovered from prior to touchdown. During the landing roll on the rough terrain, the airplane nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7925G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7925G-1998-01-13), registration cancelled 1998-01-13, S/N 17259625 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17259625 - Airframe hours: 3573 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Montana Air Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1997, 90 hours before - Departed: HLN, HELENA, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 93 in this make and model, 181 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HLN, 25 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 19970809025949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970809025949A), Aug 9, 1997: Cessna 172L, Townsend, MT, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported that while circling cattle at about 1,200 feet to 1,500 feet above ground level near a mountain range, the pilot-rated passenger, who… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.