# NTSB CHI84FAMS2: Cessna 172P, N52444, St. Joseph, MI, July 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1984, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: St. Joseph, MI
- Coordinates: 42.030197, -86.449851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0302&lon=-86.4499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FAMS2
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FAMS2

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

PIECES OF WRECKAGE AND THE BODY OF THE PLT WERE RECOVERED FROM LAKE MICHIGAN APRX 4 MI SW OF ST JOSEPH. WX AT THE DEP ARPT WAS VFR BUT DETERIORATED ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLT OVER THE LAKE DUE TO FOG BECOMING IMC. A CAUTION STATEMENT PRINTED ON THE CHICAGO SECTIONAL WARNED PLTS OF A LOSS OF HORIZONTAL REFERENCE AT LOW ALT OVER THE LAKE DURING HAZY CONDITIONS OR AT NIGHT. THERE WERE NO RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT AFTER BEING CLEARED TO TAKEOFF WITH A NORTH EASTERLY DEP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52444](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52444-1984-12-27), registration cancelled 1984-12-27, S/N 17274525 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274525
- Airframe hours: 1149
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chicago Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 14, 1984
- Departed: MDW, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: 0D1, SOUTH HAVEN, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 125 total, 125 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BEH, 5 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 19840704029519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840704029519A), Jul 4, 1984: Cessna 172P, St Joseph, MI, Destroyed. Flew into IMC over lake. Aircraft parts found. Pilots body and some wreckage recovered. Had been drinking alcohol.

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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