Cessna 172N accident near Bridgeport, Nebraska, September 8, 1985
On September 8, 1985, a Cessna 172N, registered N2920E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bridgeport, Nebraska (Bridgeport Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 8, 1985
- Place
- Bridgeport, Nebraska · Bridgeport Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N2920E · no longer on the register · serial 17271373
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
N2920E WAS TAKING OFF ON A 2,800 FT LONG, TURF RWY. THERE WAS A LT CROSSWIND OF 12 KTS AND THE DENSITY ALT WAS 5,000 FT. THE PLT SAID THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DIP IN THE RWY AND SWERVED TO THE LT MOMENTARILY. HE SAID HE REGAINED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BUT THEN DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF BECAUSE HE DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS ENOUGH RWY REMAINING. THE ACFT CONTINUED OFF THE END OF THE RWY, THROUGH A FENCE AND THEN COLLIDED WITH A COW.
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: 215 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 95 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,338 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 31, 1985; 57 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Alliance Aero Service
The flight
- Destination: AIA Alliance NE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 2,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 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.