Cessna 172M accident near Okeechobee, Florida, May 23, 1989
On May 23, 1989, a Cessna 172M, registered N9139H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Okeechobee, Florida. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PREPARATION WHEN HE FAILED TO RECHECK WEATHER CONDITIONS AFTER HE DELAYED TAKEOFF BECAUSE OF THUNDERSTROMS. ALSO, THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT DECISION TO LAND OFF-AIRPORT RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 1989
- Place
- Okeechobee, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N9139H · no longer on the register · serial 17265968
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PLT WAS BRIEFED BY FSS PERSONNEL THAT THUNDERSTORMS EXISTED ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLT & ADVISED TO WAIT AN HOUR FOR MOVEMENT TO THE EAST. THE PLT DID NOT CONTACT THE FSS AGAIN PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE FLT DEPARTED 1 HR 29 MINUTES LATER & WHEN NORTH OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE, FL, ENCOUNTERED WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH A THUNDERSTORM & WITH DARKNESS APPROACHING, ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR COLLIDED WITH A MOUND OF DIRT, COLLAPSING IT, & BOTH WINGS COLLIDED WITH TREES BEFORE THE AIRPLANE STOPPED.
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: 250 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 42 in the last 30 days; 150 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,157 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 25, 1989; 96 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: General Aviation Int'L CORP.
The flight
- Departed from: SFB Sanford FL at 11:09 pm
- Destination: TMB Miami FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 8,000 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.