Cessna 172M accident near Sturgis, South Dakota, November 11, 2011
On November 11, 2011 at about 4:05 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N13584, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Sturgis, South Dakota (Sturgis Municipal Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff with extended flaps.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 11, 2011 · about 4:05 pm local time
- Place
- Sturgis, South Dakota · Sturgis Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N13584 · no longer on the register · serial 17262858
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor stated that during the student pilot’s second solo landing, the airplane’s flaps were not retracted before the next takeoff. After takeoff, the airplane pitched up to a 60-degree nose-up attitude. According to the flight instructor, the airplane’s engine sounded like it was developing full power. The airplane entered a half-turn spin and impacted the terrain vertically. Postaccident examination showed that the flaps were extended and revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or anomaly that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicology tests detected acetaminophen and diphenhydramine in the pilot's urine. Although diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness, the investigation could not determine whether it contributed to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during prior to flight
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Trailing edge flaps › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Student pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience › Student pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 10 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 6 in the last 30 days; 1 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,570.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 15, 2011; 24 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Bear Butte Flying Club
The flight
- Departed from: 49B Sturgis SD at 3:00 pm
- Destination: 49B Sturgis SD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 5,100 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from RCA, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N13584 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.