# NTSB CHI79FEC59: Cessna 120, N2854N, Vassar, MI, October 20, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 20, 1979
- Place: Vassar, MI · VASSAR, MI
- Location: 43.3708° N, 83.5775° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Vassar, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3708&lon=-83.5775&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 17, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FEC59
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEC59

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2961  79/10/20   VASSAR,MI           CESSNA 120          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 29, 53 TOTAL
        TIME - 1610                    N2854N              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAGINAW,MI                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2854N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2854N-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 13115, built 1947 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19791020031059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791020031059A), Oct 20, 1979: Cessna 120, Vassar, MI, Destroyed. Student pilot was circling about tree-top level over parents home. Hit tree and crashed 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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