# NTSB CHI82FA186: Cessna 172N, N4967G, Milford, MI, May 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1982, 01:55 local (05:55 UTC)
- Place: Milford, MI
- Coordinates: 42.67913, -82.909965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6791&lon=-82.9100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA186

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

EARLIER IN THE EVENING DURING A RETURN FLT FROM LONDON, ONTARIO TO PONTIAC, MI THE PLT BECAME DISORIENTED & WAS RADAR VECTORED TO DETROIT CITY ARPT, THE ONLY ARPT REPORTING VMC. THE PLT LANDED AT ABOUT 2208. AFTER LANDING THE PLT RECEIVED TWO WX BRIEFINGS AT 2336 & 0016. BOTH TIMES THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE FLT DEPARTED AT 0033 & WITNESSES OBSERVED AN ACFT FLYING ABOUT 2 MI SOUTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. VISIBILITY WAS REPORTED ABOUT 200 FT ON HIGH GROUND & 500 FT IN LOW LYING AREAS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4967G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4967G-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 17273514 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273514
- Airframe hours: 265
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Karland T. Stensel
- Registered owner: Karland T. Stensel & John F. B
- Departed: DET, DETROIT, MI
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 147 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 25 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 19820527019169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820527019169A), May 27, 1982: Cessna 172N, Milford, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed during IMC. Pilot was advised against VFR flight.

## Other investigations on N4967G (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 CHI81DEC31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81DEC31), Aug 20, 1980: Cessna 172 (N4967G), Pontiac, MI, substantial damage

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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