# NTSB CHI90FA026: Cessna 172D, N2796U, Mt Morris, IL, November 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1989, 18:00 local (Nov 15, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Mt Morris, IL
- Location: 42.0483° N, 89.4293° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Morris, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0483&lon=-89.4293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA026

## Probable cause

VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC AND SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND THE OVERCONFIDENCE AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE OF THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2796U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2796U-1991-02-25), registration cancelled 1991-02-25, S/N 17250396 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250396
- Airframe hours: 3854
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rock River Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1989, 33 hours before
- Departed: C55, MT MORRIS, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 78 total, 28 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 16 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 19891114045259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891114045259A), Nov 14, 1989: Cessna 172D, Mt Morris, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed low altitude in dense fog,engine cutting out. Impacted ground at high speed. Carburetor icing conditions.

## Other investigations on N2796U (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 SEA66F0209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66F0209), Feb 12, 1966: Cessna 172D (N2796U), Twin Falls, ID, 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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