# NTSB CEN10CA100: Cessna P172D, N8584X, Cedar Rapids, IA, January 18, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 17, 2010, 19:50 local (Jan 18, 2010, 01:50 UTC) - Place: Cedar Rapids, IA - Coordinates: 41.884445, -91.710556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8844&lon=-91.7106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-IFR final approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-DSM-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75282 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75282/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75282 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA100 ## Probable cause The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain a proper glidepath during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument proficiency. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: clouds](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna P172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md?model=2072202), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: fog](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna P172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md?model=2072202), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=2072202), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072202), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Cessna P172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072202), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna P172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=2072202), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total instrument experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030/cases.md?model=2072202), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Cessna P172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=2072202), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Approach-IFR final approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna P172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072202), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-instrument-rated pilot received a preflight weather briefing and delayed the flight as instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were forecast for his route of flight until 1200. The briefer stated that the ceiling at the pilot’s destination airport would probably be 2,000 feet overcast at best later in the day. At 1600, the pilot departed without obtaining another weather briefing, and received flight following during the course of the flight. The pilot reported that while en route he was going to stop for fuel; however, the destination airport was IMC so he decided to continue. Upon reaching his destination he discovered that the weather was IMC, so he diverted to a nearby airport, where he requested emergency assistance. The approach controller offered the nearest visual flight rules airport; however, the pilot stated that he did not have enough fuel to get there. The pilot informed the controller that he had practiced instrument landing system (ILS) approaches during a flight review. The controller gave the pilot vectors and a frequency for an ILS approach. The pilot stated that he attempted to fly the glideslope, but that he became confused as to whether he should climb or descend in order to center the glideslope needle. The airplane contacted the terrain about 2 miles east of the airport and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot had a total of 4 hours of instrument flight time. ## Factual narrative The pilot contacted an Automated Flight Service Station for a weather briefing around 0730 on the morning of the flight. At that time he was informed that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended and that instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were expected to remain along the route until at least 1200. The briefer stated that the ceiling at the pilot’s destination of the Washington Municipal Airport (AWG), Washington, Iowa, would probably be 2,000 feet overcast at best later in the day. The pilot decided to delay the flight until later in the day. At 1600, the pilot departed Tulsa, Oklahoma, without obtaining another weather briefing. He requested and was receiving flight following during the flight. The pilot reported that while en route he was going to stop for fuel; however, the airport was IMC so he decided to continue to his destination. Upon reaching AWG he determined that the weather was IMC, so he diverted to the Cedar Rapids-Eastern Iowa (CID) Airport, where he requested emergency assistance. The approach controller offered a VFR airport in Minnesota; however, the pilot stated he did not have enough fuel to get there. The pilot stated he had practiced instrument landing system (ILS) approaches during a flight review. The controller then gave the pilot vectors and a frequency for the ILS runway 27 approach. The pilot stated he flew a course of about 280 degrees because of the winds and attempted to maintain the glideslope, but he became confused by the glideslope needle. The airplane contacted the terrain about 2 miles east of the airport. The pilot received minor injuries and was able to call for help using his cell phone. The airplane received substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8584X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8584X-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N P17257184, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA P172D - Registry model: [Cessna P172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p172d) (registry code 2072202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P17257184 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Douglas L. Tindal - Registered owner: Prairie Hawk Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2009, 9 hours before - Departed: RVS, Tulsa, OK - Destination: AWG, Washington, IA - Airport: CID, Cedar Rapids ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 3, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 840 total, 600 in this make and model, 775 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 0.5 statute miles - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: CID ## 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 20100117026309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100117026309A), Jan 17, 2010: Cessna P172D, Cedar Rapids, IA, Substantial damage. The pilot was single engine visual flight rules (VFR) rated. The pilot received a weather briefing from flight service at 0830 local and departed on a VFR… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 9, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75282. 747 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 672 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325034&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325035&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.