Cessna 172M accident near Excelsior Sprg, Missouri, December 27, 1995
On December 27, 1995 at about 4:15 am local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N172DA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Excelsior Sprg, Missouri (Excelsior Springs Mem. airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing and the delayed aborted landing. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind condition and the pilot's inadequate level-off.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 27, 1995 · about 4:15 am local time
- Place
- Excelsior Sprg, Missouri · Excelsior Springs Mem. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N172DA · registry record · serial 14264862
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot flew off course during the flight and became disoriented, and was attempting to land at an unfamiliar airport. He made three passes down the runway but was unable to see a wind sock. He stated he then landed on Runway 19 on the numbers and applied brakes; however, when the airplane did not slow down he applied full power to take off. The airplane became airborne and contacted trees near the end of the runway. A witness stated the airplane touched down then porpoised on the runway prior to taking off. The pilot reported the last wind information he received from flight service indicated winds from 330 degrees at 10 mph. The witness reported local winds at the time were from 350 degrees at 9 knots.
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: 201 hours in all; 111 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 138 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,085 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 20, 1995
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JEF Jefferson City MO at 2:34 am
- Destination: STJ St. Joseph MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 2,000 ft by 47 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Wind: from 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:04 am from MCI, 16 miles away
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.
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.