Cessna 172F accident near Eagle Butte, South Dakota, July 11, 2021
On July 11, 2021 at about 3:15 pm local time, a 1965 Cessna 172F, registered N5340R, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Eagle Butte, South Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the No. 6 connecting rod.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2021 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Eagle Butte, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172F, built 1965 · all 172Fs on the register
- Registration
- N5340R · no longer on the register · serial 17252868
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, the engine began running rough, and shortly after, lost all power. The pilot executed a forced landing into a wheat field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left lift strut. Examination revealed a large hole in the top of the engine case adjacent to the No. 6 cylinder. Further examination revealed that the No. 6 connecting rod failed in fatigue, which resulted in the total loss of engine power.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 347 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 347 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 23, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,864.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 13, 2021; 12 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor 0-300 SER (piston); 8,534 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KPIR Pierre SD
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 5 knots
- Sky: not recorded; clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 am from KD07, 32 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KD07 111156Z AUTO 24005KT 18/09 A3013 RMK AO1 SLP189 7//// T01830094 10217 20150 55002 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on October 13, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Engine Exam Summary | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 17 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.