# NTSB CHI87FA149: Cessna 172A, N7189T, Tomah, WI, June 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1987, 08:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: Tomah, WI
- Coordinates: 43.979557, -90.5 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9796&lon=-90.5000&mi=10
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13645
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13645/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA149

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD FLOWN A CLOSED PATTERN AND WAS MAKING TOUCH AND GO LANDING. A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT BOUNCE AND THEN INITIATE A GO AROUND. THE SURVIVING PAX SAID THE STALL WARNING HORN WAS SOUNDING 'A LONG TIME.' AT MIDPOINT OF DOWNWIND LEG THE ACFT STALLED OUT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A VERTICAL DIVE. POST ACC TEARDOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED IT WAS CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION. NO MALFUNCTIONS OF THE ACFT WERE FOUND. THE FLAPS WERE FOUND SET AT 20 DEGREES DOWN OSITION. THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS DESTROYED IN THE CRASH SO ITS SETTING COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7189T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46789
- Airframe hours: 2718
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tomah Flying Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1987, 9 hours before
- Departed: Y72, TOMAH, WI
- Airport: Y72, Tomah Bloyer, runway 25, 3,587 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 264 total, 194 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VOK, 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 19870620020799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870620020799A), Jun 20, 1987: Cessna 172A, Tomah, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Made steep nose high climbing turn on climbout. Stalled and dived vertically to impact in a smooth open field.

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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