# NTSB CHI89DEP02: Cessna 172M, N9578V, West Bend, WI, March 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1989, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: West Bend, WI
- Coordinates: 43.420455, -88.179702 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4205&lon=-88.1797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEP02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEP02

## Probable cause

PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.  UNSUITABLE (SOFT) TERRAIN AND TRANSMISSION WIRES IN THE LANDING AREA WERE CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - throttle/power lever,cable - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, THE PILOT ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO DECREASE HIS RATE OF DESCENT; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN AN INCREASE IN ENGINE POWER, THOUGH THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. HE SELECTED THE DRYEST AVAILABLE FIELD FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. AFTER CROSSING OVER AN OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE), HE LANDED. AFTER LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT TERRAIN & STARTED TO NOSE OVER AS IT WAS CROSSING UNDER A SECOND POWER LINE.  BEFORE NOSING OVER, ITS TAIL SNAGGED ON THE SECOND POWER LINE & THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ON ITS NOSE. AN EXAM OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD PARTIALLY FAILED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THROTTLE MOVEMENT WOULD NOT OPERATE THE THROTTLE ARM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9578V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9578V-1991-03-27), registration cancelled 1991-03-27, S/N 17264380 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264380
- Airframe hours: 5272
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gran Aire, Inc.
- Registered owner: R.A. Meeusen/D.L. Meeusen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1988, 93 hours before
- Departed: MWC, MILWAUKEE, WI
- Destination: ETB
- Airport: ETB, West Bend Muni, runway 24, 3,900 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 93 total, 13 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MWC, 45 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 19890327004779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890327004779A), Mar 27, 1989: Cessna 172M, West Bend, WI, Substantial damage. Engine failed to respond on final. Collided with wires during forced landing. Throttle housing not secured.

## Other investigations on N9578V (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI77FEI26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEI26), May 14, 1977: Cessna 172 (N9578V), Jewett, OH, substantial damage

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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