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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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April 7, 1986 · Cessna 172-RG II · N9538B

St Paul, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
St Paul, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 172-RG II
Tail Number
N9538B
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI86LA117

DURING CLIMBOUT AFTER T.O. AND PASSING THRU 4000 FT SMOKE BEGAN TO ENTER THE CABIN. PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND TURNED TOWARD ARPT. ENG THEN BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. ACFT WAS CLEARED TO LD BUT PLT CONTINUED TO A POINT FOUR MI PAST BASE LEG, ATTEMPTED TO FLY UNDER BUT STRUCK A HI POWER LINE. PLT ELECTED TO LD GEAR DOWN IN SOFT SOIL AND DURING ROLL OUT NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

Full Narrative

DURING CLIMBOUT AFTER T.O. AND PASSING THRU 4000 FT SMOKE BEGAN TO ENTER THE CABIN. PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND TURNED TOWARD ARPT. ENG THEN BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. ACFT WAS CLEARED TO LD BUT PLT CONTINUED TO A POINT FOUR MI PAST BASE LEG, ATTEMPTED TO FLY UNDER BUT STRUCK A HI POWER LINE. PLT ELECTED TO LD GEAR DOWN IN SOFT SOIL AND DURING ROLL OUT NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:25 CST
Nearest AirportSt. Paul Downtown (4nm S)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172-RG II
Tail NumberN9538B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-FIAG · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 16 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data