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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 3, 1991 · Cessna C-172 · N8531B

Colstrip, MT

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Colstrip, MT
Aircraft
Cessna C-172
Tail Number
N8531B
Operator
John E Ricks
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA91FA046

THE ACFT IMPACTED A RIDGELINE ON DOWNWIND IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WHILE THE PILOT WAS ON A NIGHT CURRENCY TRAINING FLIGHT AT A RECENTLY OPENED LIGHTED AIRPORT. THE PILOT HAD 4 HOURS TOTAL NIGHT FLIGHT TIME, WITH .8 HOURS PIC, ALL FLOWN DURING INITIAL PILOT TRAINING IN 1984. HE HAD NO RECORDED NIGHT FLIGHT TIME SINCE. HE WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND HAD NO INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME. THE AIRPORT IS LOCATED IN AN UNPOPULATED MOUNTAINOUS AREA WITH VERY LITTLE ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. THERE WAS NO NATURAL ILLUMINATION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, HIS LACK OF RECENT NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN IN THE AREA.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT IMPACTED A RIDGELINE ON DOWNWIND IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WHILE THE PILOT WAS ON A NIGHT CURRENCY TRAINING FLIGHT AT A RECENTLY OPENED LIGHTED AIRPORT. THE PILOT HAD 4 HOURS TOTAL NIGHT FLIGHT TIME, WITH .8 HOURS PIC, ALL FLOWN DURING INITIAL PILOT TRAINING IN 1984. HE HAD NO RECORDED NIGHT FLIGHT TIME SINCE. HE WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND HAD NO INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME. THE AIRPORT IS LOCATED IN AN UNPOPULATED MOUNTAINOUS AREA WITH VERY LITTLE ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. THERE WAS NO NATURAL ILLUMINATION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 MST
Nearest AirportCOLSTRIP (1nm SSW)
Runway24
Runway Length5100 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna C-172
Tail NumberN8531B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJohn E Ricks
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 27 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time04:48
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data