# NTSB CHI89DEP01: Cessna T337G, N6CF, Green Bay, WI, January 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1989, 18:29 local (Jan 26, 1989, 00:29 UTC)
- Place: Green Bay, WI
- Coordinates: 44.540241, -88.050819 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5402&lon=-88.0508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEP01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14203/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEP01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL, DUE TO THE LOSS OF COCKPIT/INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, THE INOPERATIVE PENLIGHT, AND SUBSEQUENT SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARKNESS AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - instrument light(s) - loss,total (cause)
  - instrument light(s) - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flashlight - inoperative (cause)
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A FLT AT NGT, THE PLT RPRTD HE HAD LOST INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, BUT THAT HE HAD A FLASHLIGHT. ABOUT 14 MIN LATER, HE RPRTD HE DID NOT HAVE ANY LIGHTS IN THE CABIN & THAT HE WAS CHANGING FLASHLIGHTS.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 1/2 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT.  THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT IT HAD IMPACTED, WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED.  THE ELEC SYS WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY IMPACT, BREAKERS WERE DESTROYED OR POPPED & THE LIGHT RHEOSTAT SW WAS DAMAGED DURING THE OCCURRENCE.  A PENLIGHT WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE WITH DEAD 'AA' BATTERIES.  A 2-CELL 'D' FLASHLIGHT WAS FOUND IN A POCKET ATTACHED TO THE REAR OF THE LEFT FRONT SEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6CF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6CF-1990-03-19), registration cancelled 1990-03-19, S/N P3370040 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T337G
- Registry model: [Cessna T337G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t337g) (registry code 2075726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P3370040
- Airframe hours: 1653
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-C 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Podhora
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1988, 16 hours before
- Departed: 92C, POLASKI, WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GRB, Auston Straobel, runway 6R, 7,700 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,188 total, 1,067 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRB, 1 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 19890125001259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890125001259A), Jan 25, 1989: Cessna T337G, Green Bay, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Instrument panel lights went out on night ILS approach. Aircraft was flown into the ground.

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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