# NTSB CHI83FA050: Cessna 177, N29528, Medina, OH, December 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1982, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Medina, OH
- Coordinates: 41.129207, -81.860122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1292&lon=-81.8601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA050

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 1430 EST, THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM FREEDOM FIELD, MEDINA, OH IN VFR CONDITIONS. WHEN HE RETURNED ABOUT 3 HRS LATER AT DUSK, THE WEATHER WAS ESTIMATED TO BE: 400 FT OVERCAST, 3/4 MI VISIBILITY WITH FOG. A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HEARD THE PLANE FLY OVER THE AIRPORT JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE HEARD A CONTINUOUS SOUND FROM THE ENGINE UNTIL THE PLANE CRASHED ABOUT 3/4 MI EAST OF THE AIRPORT IN A WOODED AREA. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED WITH TREES AT ABOUT 60 FT AGL WHILE ON A HEADING OF APRX 220 DEG. THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT ANOTHER 100 FT WHERE IT STRUCK ANOTHER TREE AND THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED. THE MAIN WRECKAGE CAME TO REST 458 FT FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29528](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29528-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 17700943, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700943
- Airframe hours: 1654
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leonard W. Johnson
- Registered owner: Leonard W. Johnson
- Departed: FDM, MEDINA, OH
- Destination: FDM, MEDINA, OH
- Airport: FDM, Freedom Field, runway 18, 2,860 × 50 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 102 total, 89 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAK, 30 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 19821201064259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821201064259A), Dec 1, 1982: Cessna 177, Medina, OH, Destroyed. Flew into trees near destination airport in low ceiling and visibility. No record of a weather check or briefing.

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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