# NTSB CEN23LA098: Cessna 120, N73034, Eagle River, WI, January 25, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: January 25, 2023, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Eagle River, WI
- Coordinates: 45.5594, -89.161 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5594&lon=-89.1610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: MKE FSDO / FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106663/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106663
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA098

## Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to takeoff from an unsuitable surface which resulted in collision with an object.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 120, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during takeoff, the airplane reached an airspeed of about 35 mph and “hit an ice / snow berm”. The airplane became airborne, stalled, and impacted the terrain. The ski dug into the snow and the airplane flipped over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73034](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73034), registered now, S/N 10242, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10242
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 6185
- Engines: Continental C-90-12F 97 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2022
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: KEGV, Eagle River Union Airport, runway 13, 1,600 × 60 ft, snow
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review March 4, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,981 total, 1,416 in this make and model, 1,889 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observed at: KEGV, 23 nm away
- METAR: METAR KEGV 251855Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM OVC090 M01/M06 A2973 RMK AO2 T10061058

## 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 20230125000569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230125000569A), Jan 25, 2023: Cessna 120, 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…

## Other investigations on N73034 (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.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106663. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 509 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15191538&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Combined%20Pages_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15257559&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Inspector%20statement%20Michael%20J_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 784 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15299629&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.

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