# NTSB CHI90FA263: Cessna 172N, N75785, Paris, IL, September 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1990, 00:45 local (05:45 UTC)
- Place: Paris, IL
- Coordinates: 39.610984, -87.68988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6110&lon=-87.6899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA263

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FOG AND THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM AUSTIN, MN AT 2010. DURING THE WEATHER BRIEFING THE PILOT WAS ADVISED OF RESTRICTED VISIBILITIES REPORTED BY THREE REPORTING STATIONS IN THE AREA OF THE DESTINATION, AND A 3 DEG TEMP/DEW POINT SPREAD AT TERRA HAUTE, IN (23 MI NE OF PARIS, IL). THE PILOT DECLINED RECEIVING FORECASTS. DURING THE INTERMEDIATE STOP AT DANVILLE, THE DEPLANED PASSENGER STATED THAT THE LANDING LIGHTS WERE PENETRATING 'THE FOG WE WERE IN', AND THAT THE LIGHT MADE A 'SHAFT' IN THE FOG AREA. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE AIRPLANE CRASHED 1 MI SE OF THE APPROACH END OF RWY 27 AT THE PARIS, IL AIRPORT. THE ACCIDENT LOCATION WAS CONSISTENT FOR A BASE LEG TO THE RWY. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPORT MANAGER THE AIRPORT BEACON COULD NOT BE SEEN BEYOND 600-700 FT HORIZONTALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75785](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75785-1991-05-03), registration cancelled 1991-05-03, S/N 17267947 (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: 17267947
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edgar County Flying Club
- Departed: DNV, DANVILLE, IL
- Airport: PRG, Edgar County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 642 total, 531 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: HUF, 22 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 19900913039029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900913039029A), Sep 13, 1990: Cessna 172N, Paris, IL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into ground turning to base leg at night in heavy fog.

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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