# NTSB CHI82DA041: Cessna 172, N9893J, Benton Harbor, MI, February 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1982, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Benton Harbor, MI
- Coordinates: 42.10913, -86.440673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1091&lon=-86.4407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AT 1030 EST FOR A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE CROSS-COUNTRY ORIGINATED AT BENTON HARBOR AT 1100 EST USING RUNWAY 27. AT THAT TIME, THE RUNWAY WAS BARE AND DRY. THE FLIGHT PROCEEDED TO BATTLE CREEK AND KALAMAZOO, AND THEN RETURNED TO BENTON HARBOR AT ABOUT 1415 EST. BEFORE ARRIVING, THE PILOT CALLED BENTON HARBOR FOR WIND AND RUNWAY CONDITIONS, BUT RECEIVED NO REPLY. WHILE ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE PILOT OBSERVED THE WIND FROM ABOUT 200 DEGREES AND SAW SMALL FINGER-LIKE DRIFTS PROTRUDING OUT ONTO RUNWAY 27 FOR ABOUT 1/4 OF ITS WIDTH. RUNWAYS 13/31 AND 18/36 HAD NOT BEEN PLOWED FOR 4 WEEKS AND WERE CLOSED. CONSIDERING THE REMAINING WIDTH OF RUNWAY 27 AND ITS EXCELLENT CONDITION AT 1100 EST, THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A MODERATE-TO-STRONG CROSSWIND. ON TOUCHDOWN GLARE ICE WAS ENCOUNTERED ON THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE RUNWAY. AS THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED, THE WIND BLEW IT OFF OF THE RIGHT SIDE WHERE IT MOMENTARILY WENT UP ON ITS NOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9893J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9893J-2017-02-22), registration cancelled 2017-02-22, S/N 17273953, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273953
- Airframe hours: 605
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Avsat Inc
- Registered owner: Avsat Inc
- Departed: KALAMAZOO, MI
- Destination: EAU CLAIRE, WI
- Airport: BEH, Ross Field, runway 27, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 67 total, 13 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19820207002889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820207002889A), Feb 7, 1982: Cessna 172, Benton Harbor, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control on ice-covered runway and aircraft crashed snow off side of runway.

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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