# NTSB CHI84FA169: Cessna 172RG, N6446V, Woodbury, MN, April 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1984, 18:22 local (23:22 UTC)
- Place: Woodbury, MN
- Coordinates: 44.919673, -92.940628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9197&lon=-92.9406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12395
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12395/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA169

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A RADIO ANTENNA SUPPORT CABLE AT APRX 171 FT AGL DURING LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVERING IN SNOW SHOWERS.ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE HEAVIEST SNOW SHOWERS WERE IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. A POLICEMAN SAW THE ACFT OVER A FIELD NEAR THE KDWB RADIO ANTENNA. DURING THE WX BRIEFING THAT THE PLT RECEIVED 11 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE WX WAS FORECAST TO CONSIST OF LOWERING CEILINGS, TURBULENCE AND ICING FOR THE PLANNED AFTERNOON RETURN FLT. ACCORDING TO RELATIVES WHO SAW THE FLT DEPART PRAIRIE DUE CHIEN AT ABOUT 1600 HRS CDT, IT WAS RAINING. LATER IN THE FLT THE PLT ANNOUNCED OVER THE RADIO THAT HE WAS DISORIENTED AND WHEN ASST WAS OFFERED HE STATED, 'I SURE COULD USE IT, YES.' HE WAS GIVEN VECTORS BY APPROACH CONTROL AND TOLD TO STEER 260 DEGREES. WHEN ASKED HIS ALT HE DID NOT RESPOND. THELAST RADAR CONTACT WAS IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6446V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6446V-1985-05-15), registration cancelled 1985-05-15, S/N 172RG-0707 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0707
- Airframe hours: 624
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard C. O'Donnell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 6, 1983, 56 hours before
- Departed: PDC, PRAIRIE DUCHIEN, WI
- Destination: STP, ST.PAUL, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 560 total, 40 in this make and model, 426 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STP, 6 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 19840429075689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840429075689A), Apr 29, 1984: Cessna 172RG, Woodbury, MN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Deteriorating ceilings and visibility forecasted. Flew very low with special VFR clearance. Hit antenna guy wire.

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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