# NTSB CHI91DCJ01: Cessna 172N, N738LL, Western, NE, February 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1991, 20:40 local (Feb 25, 1991, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: Western, NE
- Coordinates: 39.999271, -97.759109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9993&lon=-97.7591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DCJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DCJ01

## Probable cause

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - snow
  - weather condition - fog
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT DEPARTED ON A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN VFR WEATHER CONDITIONS.  ABOUT 9 MINUTES AFTER HE TOOK OFF, THE PILOT TOLD AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) THAT HE WAS ENCOUNTERING SNOW FLURRIES, AND REQUESTED ANY PERTINENT UPDATED WEATHER REPORTS/PILOT REPORTS.  ATC REPORTED SCATTERED LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS IN THE AREA, BUT HAD NO OTHER SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION AVAILABLE.  ELEVEN MINUTES LATER THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LOSING GROUND CONTACT IN HEAVY SNOW AND REQUESTED VECTORS BACK TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  THAT WAS THE LAST TRANSMISSION FROM THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 30 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  THE PILOT RECEIVED A PRE-FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED FLIGHT PRECAUTIONS FOR ICING AND POSSIBLE IFR CONDITIONS AND OCCASIONAL LIGHT SNOW AND FOG ALONG HIS FLIGHT PATH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738LL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738LL-1991-03-29), registration cancelled 1991-03-29, S/N 17270061 (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: 17270061
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dalen R. Kniep
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LNK, LINCOLN, NE
- Destination: HJH, HEBRON, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 204.3 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Observed at: OLU, 34 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 19910224003359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910224003359A), Feb 24, 1991: Cessna 172N, Western, NE, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into area heavy snow at night. Lost control. Impacted near vertical. Was advised possible snow showers.

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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