# NTSB CHI86FA230: Cessna 172K, N78715, East Tawas, MI, September 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1986, 06:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: East Tawas, MI
- Coordinates: 44.26979, -83.510177 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2698&lon=-83.5102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA230

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot passenger (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - climb - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES WHILE IN LOW LEVEL FLIGHT FOLLOWING A PREDAWN DEPARTURE. AN AIRPORT 10 MILES TO THE NORTH WAS REPORTING VERY LOW CEILINGS WITH VISIBILITIES LOWER THAN 1/2 MILE IN FOG AND DRIZZLE. THE PROXIMITY TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND THE AIRCRAFT'S HEADING ON IMPACT SUGGEST THAT THE PILOT MAY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND WHILE RETURNING TO LAND AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE PLT LOGS OF THE PLTS WERE NOT RECOVERED AND NO FLT TIME INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N78715 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257728
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don W. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 6D9, EAST TAWAS, MI
- Destination: DET, DETROIT, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSC

## 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 19860923046209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860923046209A), Sep 23, 1986: Cessna 172K, East Tawas, MI, Destroyed. Collided with trees while flying in level flight. Pilot had been weather briefed by fss personel. VFR not forecast.

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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