# NTSB SEA98LA189: Cessna 172D, N2479Y, Ronan, MT, September 29, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1998, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Ronan, MT
- Coordinates: 47.530647, -114.129821 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5306&lon=-114.1298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 44063
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44063/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA189

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed during liftoff from a soft field takeoff.  Factors include high density alttiude.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - grass
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while attempting to execute a soft field takeoff on a private, non-identified, turf airstrip, he pulled the aircraft's nose up prematurely.  The aircraft then settled back to the surface and the pilot allowed the aircraft to accelerate before pulling the nose up a second time. On this occasion, all three wheels left the surface. Immediately thereafter, while still in ground effect, the aircraft veered left off of the takeoff surface. The pilot reported that he could not maintain directional control, and the aircraft went through a barbed-wire fence, striking several fence posts in the process.  Density altitude at the closest weather reporting station was approximately 4,792 feet.

## Factual narrative

On September 29, 1998, approximately 1700 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2479Y, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control while on the initial takeoff roll at a private, non-identified, turf airstrip near Ronan, Montana.  The pilot and his wife were uninjured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed.  The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and was destined for Spangle, Washington.

The pilot reported that while attempting to execute a soft field takeoff to the south on the turf airstrip, he pulled the aircraft's nose up prematurely.  The aircraft then settled back to the surface and the pilot allowed the aircraft to accelerate before pulling the nose up a second time.  On this occasion, all three wheels left the surface.  Immediately thereafter, while still in ground effect, the aircraft veered left off of the takeoff surface.  The pilot reported that he could not maintain directional control, and the aircraft went through a barbed-wire fence, striking several fence posts in the process.  Density altitude was approximately 4,792 feet at Missoula, Montana, 40 nautical miles south.

In his written response, the pilot recommended that instructors should teach students how to or when to abort bad takeoffs, and to be more aware of those procedures.  He stated that he only had one or two seconds to make the decision, and he "made the wrong one."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2479Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2479Y), registered now, S/N 17249779, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249779
- Airframe hours: 2250
- Engines: Continental O-300C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Beard, Harvey, A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1998, 10 hours before
- Destination: SPANGLE, WA
- Airport: Baer'S Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 217 total, 59 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSO, 40 nm away

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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