# NTSB BFO92FA044: Cessna 172P, N65737, Accokeek, MD, March 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1992, 10:17 local (15:17 UTC)
- Place: Accokeek, MD
- Coordinates: 38.66912, -77.010116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6691&lon=-77.0101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA044

## Probable cause

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON AN ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 36, THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED OFF RADAR AT 2,500 FT MSL ABOUT 12 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT.  DURING THE APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE WAS WEST OF THE LOCALIZER AND WAS BEING VECTORED TO INTERCEPT THE LOCALIZER.  A COMPLETE LEFT 360 DEGREE TURN WAS MADE AT THE REQUEST OF APPROACH CONTROL (ARR).  THE PILOT WAS THEN CLEARED TO THE ILS OUTER MARKER.  UPON ARRIVAL TO THE OUTER MARKER THE PILOT WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THE LOCAL CONTROLLER (LC).  BEFORE INTERCEPTING THE LOCALIZER, THE AIRPLANE STARTED AN APPROXIMATE 9.5 DEGREE LEFT TURN AWAY FROM THE LOCALIZER.  DURING THIS TURN, ARR QUERIED THE PILOT ABOUT THE AIRPLANE'S HEADING.  THERE WAS NO RESPONSE.  THE LC BROADCASTED TO THE AIRPLANE AND REQUESTED THE PILOT TO SWITCH BACK TO ARR.  THE PAX ACKNOWLEDGED THE REQUEST. THERE WERE NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS BY THE PILOT OR PAX.  THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY EVIDENCE OF STRUCTURAL, INSTRUMENT, OR ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65737](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65737-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 17275843, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275843
- Airframe hours: 3979
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flight International Aviation
- Registered owner: Flight International Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1992, 25 hours before
- Departed: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Destination: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 937 total, 802 as pilot in command, 168 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 12 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920319006909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920319006909A), Mar 19, 1992: Cessna 172P, Accokeek, MD, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control trying to make ILS approach. Unable to intercept localizer. Apparently not current IFR.

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.

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