Cessna 172 accident near Flushing, Michigan, June 29, 1998
On June 29, 1998 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N20043, was substantially damaged in an accident near Flushing, Michigan (Dalton Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
was a delayed go-around maneuver by the pilot. Factors associated with this accident were the pilot misjudging his final approach altitude and glide path, having inadequate altitude to clear the trees at the end of the runway, and inadequate training on how to fly a final approach and make a landing on the first quarter of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 1998 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Flushing, Michigan · Dalton Airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N20043 · no longer on the register · serial 17260956
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness reported seeing the airplane approach the runway threshold at a high rate of speed and altitude at an approximate 45-degree descent angle. According to the witness, the airplane pitched up steeply and eventually level off and '...flying at a safe speed.' Other witnesses saw the airplane strike the trees as past near their home. The pilot said the airplane was in ground affect and nearing trees at the runway s departure end. He said he added full power and retracted his flaps until he finished his 5-count. He said the airplane s tires collided with the tress and shortly after that, the airplane stalled and rolled left, descending vertically into the roof of a shed. The pilot said he uses the airspeed indicator and altimeter to help him judge the glide path to landing. He said he aims the airplane s nose at the runway aiming point and flares when the airplane approach is stabilized. Interviews with 2 of the pilots flight instructors revealed they were unable to explain how to to fly a final approach then land the airplane on the first quarter of the runway.
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: 117 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 29 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PTK Pontiac MI at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 3DA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,510 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from FNT, 7 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.
Other NTSB records under N20043 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.