Cessna 172N accident near Holland, Michigan, November 17, 1984
On November 17, 1984 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Cessna 172N, registered N4738G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Holland, Michigan (Tulip City airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 17, 1984 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Holland, Michigan · Tulip City · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N4738G · registry record · serial 17273335
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT STATED THAT A SLIGHT RUDDER PEDAL MISALIGNMENT CAUSED THE ACFT TO RUN OFF THE RWY & INTO A DITCH DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. HE STATED THAT DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE RUDDER 'DID NOT RESPOND NORMALLY OR AS EXPECTED.' A LATER EXAMINATION REVEALED NOTHING WRONG WITH THE RUDDER PEDAL ALIGNMENT. THE PLT HAD FLOWN ONLY SIX TENTHS OF AN HOUR SOLO FLYING TIME IN THE 90 DAY PRIOR 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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 28 hours in all; 22 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 3 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,800 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 15, 1984
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-42AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C19 Holland MI at 4:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 3,930 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:54 am from MKG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.