# NTSB BFO93LA059: Cessna 172, N73436, Lewisburg, OH, March 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1993, 20:00 local (Mar 26, 1993, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Lewisburg, OH
- Coordinates: 40.099498, -83.749794 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0995&lon=-83.7498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA059

## Probable cause

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT AND INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM AN ELEVATION OF 1,060 FEET MSL IN VFR WEATHER, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED GROUND FOG.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO MANEUVER AROUND THE FOG, BUT THE AIRPLANE ENTERED ANOTHER LAYER OF GROUND FOG.  SHORTLY AFTER THIS, HE GLANCED AT HIS INSTRUMENTS AND NOTICED THE AIRPLANE WAS DESCENDING.  HE SAID HE STARTED TO ATTAIN A CLIMB ATTITUDE WHEN HE SAW THE TERRAIN DIRECTLY BELOW.  HE SAID HE TRIED TO PULL UP BUT THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND.  THE LOCAL WEATHER WAS REPORTING 6 TO 8 MILES VISIBILITY AND GROUND FOG.  THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF 1,280 FEET MSL DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS.  THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS NON INSTRUMENT RATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73436](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73436-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 17267460, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267460
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Ohio Flying Assoc.
- Registered owner: Central Ohio Flying Assoc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1992
- Departed: I74, URBANA, OH
- Destination: OSU, COLUMBUS, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 228 total, 140 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 50 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 19930325007429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930325007429A), Mar 25, 1993: Cessna 172M, Urbana, OH, Substantial damage. Encountered ground fog on night climbout. Lost control due vertigo. Descend to ground.

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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