# Accident 20120122001129A: Cessna 177, North Vernon, IN, January 22, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 22, 2012, 20:41 local time
- Place: North Vernon, IN
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.8958° N, 85.5556° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8958&lon=-85.5556&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3435T, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3435T-2017-10-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 177 (registry code 2073704, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 450 total, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN12FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA143) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120122001129A

## Narrative

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

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A FLIGHT FROM LAKE IN THE HILLS AIRPORT (3CK) TO THE MADISON, INDIANA AIRPORT (IMS). THE FLIGHT WAS VFR ON TOP AND RECEIVED FLIGHT FOLLOWING FROM ATC. THE LAST RADIO CONTACT OCCURED APPROXIMATELY 15 NM NORTH OF IMS WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTACT APPROACH CONTROL (SDF) ON 132.07 APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE REPORTED TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT NEVER CHECKED IN ON THAT FREQUENCY. WEATHER WAS REPORTED AS 1100 OVERCAST WITH TEN MILES VISIBILITY. THE PILOT WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO PENETRATE THE CLOUD LAYER TO REACH THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN A BANKED, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE ON A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING APPROXIMATELY 9 NM NORTHWEST OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION AIRPORT.

## 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 CEN12FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA143), Jan 22, 2012: Cessna 177A (N3435T), North Vernon, IN, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to fly into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.

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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