# NTSB CHI88LA095: Cessna 172P, N62218, Sauk Center, MN, April 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1988, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Sauk Center, MN
- Coordinates: 45.729152, -94.950714 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7292&lon=-94.9507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14063
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14063/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA095

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,frozen

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE ON THE LAST LEG OF A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT EXPERIENCED A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE, FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE FAILURE.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A FROZEN LAKE, EXECUTED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, AND MADE A HARD LANDING ON THE LAKE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED 2-3 QUARTS OF WATER IN THE LEFT TANK, AND SMALL AMOUNTS IN THE RIGHT TANK AND FUEL BOWL.  THE STUDENT STATED THAT HE DID NOT PREFLIGHT AFTER TAKING ON FUEL AT HIS FIRST ENROUTE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62218](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62218), registered now, S/N 17275230, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275230
- Airframe hours: 2364
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flying Scotchman, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987, 300 hours before
- Departed: MVE, MONTEVIDEO, MN
- Destination: MIC, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 30 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AXN, 23 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 19880406008249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880406008249A), Apr 6, 1988: Cessna 172P, Sauk Center, MN, Destroyed. Engine quit en route. Crash landed on a frozen lake. Found large amount of water in fuel and a fuel cap not secured

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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