# NTSB CHI90FA252: Cessna 172N, N733CH, Pine City, MN, September 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1990, 12:17 local (17:17 UTC)
- Place: Pine City, MN
- Coordinates: 45.830791, -92.959144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8308&lon=-92.9591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14552/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA252

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE FUEL SUPPLY, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH 2 PSGRS ABOARD TO FLY TO A NEARBY ARPT TO REFUEL. AFTER TAKING OFF FROM RWY 35, THE ENG LOST PWR. THE ACFT CRASHED ABT 1/4 MI NORTH OF THE RWY & TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST NOSE DOWN WITH THE TAIL BROKEN DOWN & TO THE RIGHT. ONLY ABT 7 0Z OF FUEL WAS FND IN THE ACFT. LATER, THE ENGE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RUN DURING AN OPNL CHECK. THE PLT HAD 3 HRS OF FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733CH-1991-05-23), registration cancelled 1991-05-23, S/N 17268187 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268187
- Airframe hours: 8544
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Center One
- Registered owner: Hammond Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 12, 1990, 81 hours before
- Departed: 90D
- Destination: 19D, MORA, MN
- Airport: 90D, Pine City Muni, runway 35, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 105 total, 3 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC, 49 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 19900902037639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900902037639A), Sep 2, 1990: Cessna 172N, Pine City, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on climbout for purpose obtaining fuel. Stalled and impacted flat in field. Both fuel tanks empty.

## Other investigations on N733CH (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 CHI82DA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA269), Jul 23, 1982: Cessna 172N (N733CH), Isle, MN, 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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