# Accident 20040221003749A: Cessna 120, Merrill, WI, February 21, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 21, 2004, 16:55 local time
- Place: Merrill, WI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.1992° N, 89.7164° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1992&lon=-89.7164&mi=10
- Aircraft: N73034, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73034) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 120 (registry code 2071402, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental C85 series (registry code 17008, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 210 total, 53 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI04LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA075) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040221003749A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2004, AT 1655 EST A CESSNA CE-120, N73034, STRUCK A RUT IN THE SNOW WITH THE RIGHT SKI CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO FLIP OVER WHILE LANDING ON THE WISCONSIN RIVER APPROXIMATELY 5.75 MILES NORTHWEST OF MERRILL, WI. THE PRIVATE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES AND THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED AS A PERSONAL FLIGHT BY THE OWNER, GARY MUELLER, UNDER 14 CFR PART 91 AND VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI04LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA075), Feb 21, 2004: Cessna 120 (N73034), Merrill, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain to conduct a landing. Factors were the reported flat light conditions and the uneven terrain.

## Other reports on N73034 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20230125000569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230125000569A), Jan 25, 2023: Cessna 120 (N73034), Eagle River, WI, Substantial damage. On January 25, 2023 approximetly 1300 CST the pilot of a 1946 Cessna CE-120 was attempting to take off parallel to runway 13 while federal 1500 snow skis were…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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