Cessna 172H N3269L

Summary

On 12 July 1989 at about 01:30 local time, a Cessna 172H registered N3269L, operated by Grindland, Ethan P., was involved in an accident near Hatton, North Dakota, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 July 1989 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Hatton, North Dakota, United States

Coordinates

47.6303, -97.4509

Aircraft

Cessna 172H

Registration

N3269L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Grindland, Ethan P.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hatton → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN89LA168

2 people had minor injuries.

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE ABOVE THE GROUND. THE TAILWIND, HIGH OBSTRUCTION (SHELTER BELT), AND DOWNDRAFT WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND AS THE PLT WAS MAKING A LOW PASS OVER A BEAN FIELD TO CHECK FOR GRASSHOPPERS. HE RPRTD THAT AS HE WAS APCHG THE FIELD FROM THE NORTH, THE ACFT CROSSED OVER A SHELTER BELT (TREES) WHICH WAS ABOUT 50 TO 60 FT TALL. THE PLT STATED THAT AS THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING OVER THE SHELTER BELT, 'IT FELT AS IF THE BOTTOM DROPPED OUT OF THE AIRPLANE.' HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE & THE ACFT STARTED TO RESPOND, BUT IT HIT THE GROUND IN A WINGS LEVEL, SLIGHTLY TAIL LOW ATTITUDE & WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. THE PLT'S LAST MED CERT WAS DATED 2/6/87.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.