Cessna 172K accident near Roseglen, North Dakota, April 11, 2008
On April 11, 2008 at about 6:30 am local time, a Cessna 172K, registered N7490G, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Roseglen, North Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the TV antenna during a low altitude maneuver. Contributing factors were the antenna, the night conditions, and pilot impairment due to alcohol.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 2008 · about 6:30 am local time
- Place
- Roseglen, North Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N7490G · no longer on the register · serial 17259190
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During dark night condition, the airplane impacted the terrain after hitting a 40-foot tall television antenna that was standing next to the pilot's doublewide trailer that was located at the pilot's farmstead. The airplane wreckage was discovered in a hayfield about 500 feet west of the trailer at about 1040 the next morning. Inspection of the wreckage revealed that the airplane's right wing struck the antenna about 8 feet from the top of the antenna. Flight control cable continuity was confirmed from the flight controls to their respective attach points on the flight control surfaces. The propeller exhibited characteristics indicative of engine power. A Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report was prepared by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute. The toxicological evaluation of the blood specimen indicated the presence of ethyl alcohol in a concentration of 0.05 percent by weight. This level is consistent with impairment. The FAA regulation 14 CFR Part 91.17 prohibits the operation of an aircraft with a blood alcohol level of 0.04 percent or higher.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Alcohol › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Contributed to outcome
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 69 hours in all; 7 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,117 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 4, 2007
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: D05 Garrison ND
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 am from MOT, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.