# NTSB CHI90FA066: Cessna 402A, N4532Q, Mosinee, WI, January 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1990, 22:45 local (Jan 17, 1990, 04:45 UTC)
- Place: Mosinee, WI
- Coordinates: 44.780052, -89.680747 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7801&lon=-89.6807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14522/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA066

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DISREGARDING THE PUBLISHED DECISION HEIGHT AND NOT PERFORMING A MISSED APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ON-DEMAND AIR TAXI AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN DURING A THIRD ATTEMPT AT AN ILS APPROACH. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES BEYOND THE AIRPORT ON THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF THE LANDING RUNWAY. IN AN INTERVIEW THE PILOT RELATED THAT ON HIS FIRST APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT HE SAW THE RUNWAY AND OBSERVED VEHICLES ON THE TAXIWAY AS HE PERFORMED HIS MISSED APPROACH. WHEN HE WAS ASKED THE REASON FOR THE SECOND MISSED APPROACH HE SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF INSTRUMENT FLUCTUATIONS ON HIS COURSE DIRECTION INDICATOR. DURING THIS PERIOD HE ASKED THAT THE LIGHTS BE SET TO HIGH INTENSITY BECAUSE HE COULD NOT SEE THEM. THE LIGHTS WERE VERIFIED AS BEING SET FOR HIGH INTENSITY. HE DID NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING OF THE THIRD APPROACH AFTER HE PASSED THE OUTER MARKER. SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS WERE IN PROGRESS DURING THE PERIOD THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS MAKING APPROACHES TO THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4532Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4532Q-2001-10-03), registration cancelled 2001-10-03, S/N 402A0032, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402A
- Registry model: [Cessna 402A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402a) (registry code 207590M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402A0032
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Freight Runners Express Inc.
- Departed: MNM, MENOMINEE, MI
- Destination: MKE, MILWAUKEE, WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CWA, Central Wisconsin, runway 8, 7,645 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,628 total, 120 in this make and model, 2,428 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Observed at: CWA

## 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 19900116000919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900116000919A), Jan 16, 1990: Cessna 402A, Mosinee, WI, Destroyed. Struck trees and crashed during third missed approach. Was off center line on two tries. Freezing drizzle in area.

## Other investigations on N4532Q (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 IAD77FKW05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77FKW05), Oct 22, 1976: Cessna 402 (N4532Q), Erin, TN, 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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