Cessna 172K accident near Marietta, Oklahoma, March 1, 1998
On March 1, 1998 at about 8:15 pm local time, a Cessna 172K, registered N84561, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marietta, Oklahoma (Mcgehee Catfish Rest. airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were 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 improper compensation for the wind conditions. A factor was the crosswind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 1, 1998 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Marietta, Oklahoma · Mcgehee Catfish Rest. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N84561 · no longer on the register · serial 52522
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on final approach to runway 35 at the McGehee Catfish Restaurant Airport, the aircraft encountered a north-westerly crosswind and the pilot performed a go-around. During a second approach to runway 35, an 'unpredictable crosswinds/windshear exceeded control capability of A/C,' and blew the aircraft to the right of the runway into the top of 30 foot trees. The pilot applied full power, the aircraft began to climb, and he turned into the wind. Subsequently, the aircraft struck a power line, and came to rest inverted about 100 yards south of the runway. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was from 330 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 25.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,386 hours in all; 766 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1,244 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 4, 1997; 88 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TYR Tyler TX at 6:30 pm
- Destination: T40
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 2,450 ft by 55 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.