# NTSB CHI88DEP04: Cessna 172L, N7089Q, West Bend, WI, March 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1988, 19:30 local (Mar 6, 1988, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: West Bend, WI
- Coordinates: 43.419467, -88.179229 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4195&lon=-88.1792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEP04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEP04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER 30 MINUTES OF LOCAL FLIGHT, ON A DARK NIGHT, THE PILOT INCREASED THE THROTTLE SETTING AFTER SELECTING APPROACH FLAPS. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE. A FORCED LANDING WAS INITIATED AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN. A SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE, FUEL SUPPLY, MAGNETOS AND INDUCTION SYSTEM REVEALED NOTHING WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ENGINE FROM DEVELOPING NORMAL POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7089Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7089Q-1994-03-17), registration cancelled 1994-03-17, S/N 17260389 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2072432
- Airframe hours: 1246
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alton D. Hawkinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1987, 69 hours before
- Airport: ETB, West Bend, runway 13, 4,500 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 236 total, 173 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 35 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 19880305004549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880305004549A), Mar 5, 1988: Cessna STC172, West Bend, WI, Substantial damage. Engine failed to respond on downwind, clipped tree tops and hit nose down on frozen turf. Possible carburetor ice.

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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