# NTSB CHI87FA083: Cessna 172N, N734MV, Fergus Falls, MN, February 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1987, 19:36 local (Feb 12, 1987, 01:36 UTC)
- Place: Fergus Falls, MN
- Coordinates: 46.279468, -96.060569 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2795&lon=-96.0606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA083

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A 1.5 HOUR PERSONAL FLIGHT AT NIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A LOW HILL NEAR THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 6 HOURS OF NIGHT TIME, MOST OF HIS SOLO NIGHT TIME WAS DURING THIS LAST FLIGHT. HAZY VFR CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE TIME. BIRDS WERE ACTIVE IN THE AREA AND A FEW FEATHERS WERE LOCATED AROUND THE WRECK, BUT NO BIRD BLOOD, UNUSUAL DENTING OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ACTUAL BIRD REMAINS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734MV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734MV-1989-05-15), registration cancelled 1989-05-15, S/N 17268968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268968
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: West Central Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 1987, 6 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FFM, Fergus Falls Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 69 total, 15 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FFM, 2 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 19870211002639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870211002639A), Feb 11, 1987: Cessna 172N, Fergus Falls, MN, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Crashed into rolling terrain on a crosscountry flight. Site indicates normal speed and level flight.

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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