# NTSB CHI88LA083: Cessna 172N, N73954, Madison, WI, March 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1988, 23:30 local (Mar 26, 1988, 05:30 UTC)
- Place: Madison, WI
- Coordinates: 43.100772, -89.500869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1008&lon=-89.5009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA083

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON THE 40 FOOT WIDE RNWY IN A 10-12 KNOT X-WIND. HE STATED HE HAD LITTLE RNWY REFERENCE IN THE DARK NIGHT DUE TO A VERY FADED RNWY CENTERLINE. THE ACFT RAN OFF THE HARD SURFACE INTO THE MUD, RAN INTO A DEPRESSION IN THE SOIL AND NOSED DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73954](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73954-2005-02-16), registration cancelled 2005-02-16, S/N 17267762, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267762
- Airframe hours: 946
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Middleton Flight Partnership
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1988
- Departed: C35, REEDSBURG, WI
- Airport: C-29, Morey, runway 13, 2,975 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 293 total, 131 in this make and model, 221 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 8 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 19880325006619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880325006619A), Mar 25, 1988: Cessna 172N, Madison, WI, Substantial damage. Got a wheel off edge of runway on night landing causing a wing and prop strike in soft mud. Runway poorly marked.

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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