# NTSB CHI86FA172: Cessna 441, N6857E, Norton Shores, MI, July 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1986, 12:38 local (16:38 UTC)
- Place: Norton Shores, MI
- Coordinates: 43.220466, -86.249755 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2205&lon=-86.2498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA172

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - not possible, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

N6857E WAS TRANSPORTING EXECUTIVES FROM HOLLAND, MI, TO MUSKEGON. THE PILOT WAS EXECUTING AN ASR APPROACH TO RUNWAY 06. THE MDA IS 537 FT AGL. CO-PILOT CALLED OUT 1200 FEET THEN BELOW 1000 FEET, PILOT CONTINUED APPROACH. AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES TWO MILES FROM RUNWAY AT 15 FEET AGL. THE APPROACH WAS CONDUCTED IN HEAVY FOG CONDITIONS. THE PILOT HAD DESCENDED BELOW APPROACH MINIMUMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6857E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6857E-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 441-0244, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 441
- Registry model: [Cessna 441](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-441) (registry code 2076020) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 441-0244
- Airframe hours: 3060
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331-8-403S 636 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Health Care & Retirement Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 9, 1986, 80 hours before
- Departed: C19, HOLLAND, MI
- Destination: MKG, MUSKEGAN, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MKG, Muskegan County, runway 6, 6,501 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 23,298 total, 2,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 15 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 19860716033889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860716033889A), Jul 16, 1986: Cessna 441, Norton Shores, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircraft descended below mda and struck trees. The pilot was known to regularly descend below mda.

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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