# NTSB CHI89FA174: Cessna 172P, N98584, Superior, WI, August 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1989, 09:36 local (14:36 UTC)
- Place: Superior, WI
- Coordinates: 46.670631, -92.080535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6706&lon=-92.0805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA174

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ASPHALT RUNWAY WHILE DOING TOUCH AND GO'S. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND FROM THE SOD ADJCENT TO THE RUNWAY. WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS ACCELERATING, IT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98584](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98584), registered now, S/N 17276316 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17216316
- Airframe hours: 1439
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 15, 1989, 52 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: SUW, Richard I. Bong, runway 13, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 410 total, 334 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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