# NTSB CHI89FA049: Cessna 172RG, N6525V, Mosinee, WI, February 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1989, 18:20 local (Feb 8, 1989, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Mosinee, WI
- Coordinates: 44.779098, -89.680274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7791&lon=-89.6803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14244/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA049

## Probable cause

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT AS A RESULT OF INITIATING THE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARK NIGHT, SNOW, AND LOW CEILINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT GOT A FULL WEATHER BRIEF FROM FLIGHT SERVICE STATION. WEATHER BRIEFER ADVISED PILOT THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED, AND GAVE HIM HAZARDOUS WEATHER ADVISORIES IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA AT THE TIME. AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN DENSELY WOODED AREA APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES SOUTH OF DEPARTURE POINT. AIRPORT MANAGER DESCRIBED THE CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE AS 'DARK, WINDY, AND SNOWING...'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6525V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6525V-1991-05-01), registration cancelled 1991-05-01, S/N 172RG0751 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0751
- Airframe hours: 1828
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Andrew & Mary Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Andrew & Mary Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 30, 1988, 44 hours before
- Departed: AUW, WAUSAU, WI
- Destination: 1C5, PLAINFIELD, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 249 total, 33 in this make and model, 179 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUW, 15 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 19890207001809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890207001809A), Feb 7, 1989: Cessna 172RG, Mosinee, WI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Departed VFR into low ceiling and visibility at night. Descended into trees no ground lights.

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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