Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B-85C accident near White Cloud, Michigan, July 8, 1990
On July 8, 1990 at about 3:38 pm local time, a Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B-85C, registered N77721, was involved in an accident near White Cloud, Michigan (White Cloud airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PASSENGERS DISREGARD OF THE PILOT'S INSTRUCTIONS AND HER FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE PROPELLER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 12, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 1990 · about 3:38 pm local time · cases in 1990
- Place
- White Cloud, Michigan · White Cloud · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B-85C
- Registration
- N77721 · registry record · serial 351
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT TAXIED OFF THE HARD SURFACE RUNWAY INTO THE GRASS TO ALLOW ANOTHER AIRPLANE TO TAKEOFF ON THE RUNWAY. UPON RETURNING TO THE RUNWAY SURFACE, THE PASSENGER REPORTED TO THE PILOT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING TANGLED ON THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR. THE PASSENGER EXITED THE AIRPLANE TO UNTANGLE THE GEAR AND WAS STRUCK BY THE PROPELLER. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER DISREGARDED HIS INSTRUCTIONS TO STAY BEHIND THE LANDING GEAR WHEN OUT OF THE AIRPLANE.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 97 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,037 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 27, 1990; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 42C White Cloud MI
- Destination: 6D6 Greenville MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 2,911 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N77721 on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Continental C85-12 82 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- White Cloud Airport · nearest airport
- Greenville Municipal · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Michigan 2,103 since 1982 · 226 in the last ten years
- Michigan 7,225 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CHI90DEM06.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.