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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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NTSB Report

September 8, 1985 · Cessna 172 M · N20517

Emmetsburg, IA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Emmetsburg, IA
Aircraft
Cessna 172 M
Tail Number
N20517
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC85FCD02

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A TURKEY FARM FIELD AFTER LOSING ALT DURING TAKEOFF. A WITNESS SAID THE ACFT SETTLED AS THOUGH THE PLT WAS RAISING THE FLAPS AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT LOST ALT IN A RT TURN, AND LANDED 1 MILE SOUTH OF THE ARPT POST ACC INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE ACFT WAS 264 LBS OVERWEIGHT AND THE CG EXCEEDED THE AFT LIMIT. THE DA WAS 1950 FT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A TURKEY FARM FIELD AFTER LOSING ALT DURING TAKEOFF. A WITNESS SAID THE ACFT SETTLED AS THOUGH THE PLT WAS RAISING THE FLAPS AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT LOST ALT IN A RT TURN, AND LANDED 1 MILE SOUTH OF THE ARPT POST ACC INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE ACFT WAS 264 LBS OVERWEIGHT AND THE CG EXCEEDED THE AFT LIMIT. THE DA WAS 1950 FT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:12 CDT
Nearest AirportEmmtsburg (1nm SSE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 M
Tail NumberN20517
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data