# NTSB CHI86FER01: Cessna 172H, N3706R, Williams, MN, March 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1986, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Williams, MN
- Coordinates: 48.759292, -94.949653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7593&lon=-94.9497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FER01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FER01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - low pass - performed
  - maneuver - initiated
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A LOW PASS OVER A FROZEN, SNOW COVERED LAKE, THEN INTENDED TO MAKE A CLIMBING LEFT TURN. HE RPRTD THE WX & LIGHT CONDS AS 'SLIGHT HAZE, POOR HORIZON VISIBILITY, VERY WHITE OUT.'  AS THE PLT CONTD WITH WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A CLIMBING TURN, THE ACFT ENTERED A DSCNT & IMPACTED THE FROZEN LAKE. IN REFERENCE TO THIS ACCIDENT, THE PLT STATED THAT DURING HAZY CONDITIONS, SUNGLASSES THAT ARE LIGHTLY SHADED ON THE BOTTOM & DARK AT THE TOP CAN 'HELP CONFUSE THE HORIZON.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3706R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55506
- Airframe hours: 3416
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roseau Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1986, 3 hours before
- Departed: ROX, ROSEAU, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 78 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: INL, 65 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 19860313006809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860313006809A), Mar 13, 1986: Cessna 172H, Williams, MN, Substantial damage. Left wing struck snow covered frozen lake during a low altitude turn. Aircraft then cartwheeled on the frozen lake.

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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