# NTSB CHI88FA092: Cessna 207, N207CA, Hardwick, MN, April 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1988, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Hardwick, MN
- Coordinates: 43.770587, -96.189559 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7706&lon=-96.1896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA092

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - building(nonresidential)
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FOR APRX 8 MINUTES IN ERRATIC DIVING, CLIMBING, AND STEEP-TURNING MANEUVERS WHICH CULMINATED IN A 12 DEGREE DESCENT TO THE GROUND. THE SOUND OF THE ENG WAS HEARD THROUGHOUT THE SEQUENCE AND OTHER EVIDENCE INDICATED ENGINE POWER AT IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES, A FARM BLDG, FARM EQUIPMENT, AND A VEHICLE, THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE WRECKAGE WAS STREWN ALONG A 320 FT PATH. NO EVIDENCE OF FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PLT CLAIMED AN UPSET STOMACH BEFORE THE FLT. THE PILOT'S SPEECH WAS SLURRED IN RADIO TRANSMISSIONS. THE PLT DID NOT RESPOND TO THE LAST RADIO CALL FROM SIOUX FALLS TOWER. NO EMERGENCY OR DISTRESS CALLS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE PILOT. THE POSTMORTEM EXAM OF THE PLT DID NOT IDENTIFY SPECIFIC IMPAIRMENT BUT WAS LIMITED DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT AND FIRE DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N207CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N207CA-1988-12-05), registration cancelled 1988-12-05, S/N 20700097 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207
- Registry model: [Cessna 207](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207) (registry code 2073602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2070097
- Airframe hours: 12000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Northland Air Freight, doing business as Northland Air Freight
- Registered owner: Northland Air Freight
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FSD, SIOUX FALLS, SD
- Destination: MIC, CRYSTAL, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,000 total, 260 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSD, 26 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 19880404048919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880404048919A), Apr 4, 1988: Cessna 207, Hardwick, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed flying erratically over a farm. Dived into trees and farm buildings cause unknown. Possible incapacitation

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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