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NTSB Report
April 20, 1994 · Cessna 172K · N46474
Howes, SD
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Howes, SD
Aircraft
Cessna 172K
Tail Number
N46474
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA139
THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO DROP A PACKAGE TO TWO PERSONS WHO WERE CANOEING ON A RIVER. AFTER THE PACKAGE WAS DROPPED, THE PILOT STATED HE WAS DISTRACTED FOR 4-6 SECONDS, AND NEGLECTED TO PULL UP. THE AIRPLANE INADVERTENTLY STRUCK A SOFT RIVER BANK. THE LANDING GEAR SANK IN THE SOFT GROUND, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE DIVERTED ATTENTION OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.
Full Narrative
On April 20, 1994, at 1530 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N46474, sustained substantial damage when it crashed near Howes, South Dakota. The commercial pilot and the two passengers in the airplane were not injured. The personal flight originated at the Rapid City Regional Airport. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to drop a package to two persons who were canoeing on the river. He stated he made a low pass, dropped the package, then became distracted before he executed a pull-up and go-around. The airplane inadvertently touched down on the soft river bank. After touchdown, the landing gear sank into the soft soil, and the airplane nosed-over.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172K
Tail NumberN46474
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 33 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 14 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC