# NTSB CHI91DTG01: Cessna 172P, N5478K, Bismarck, ND, June 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1991, 01:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Bismarck, ND
- Location: 46.8083° N, 100.7837° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bismarck, ND, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8083&lon=-100.7837&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DTG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14870/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DTG01

## Probable cause

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEF, VRF FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, unknown
  - weather condition - fog
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT HAD ONLY THREE HOURS OF NIGHT TIME AND DID NOT OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEF.  HE ELECTED TO TAKE OFF AT 0050 AND MAKE THE RETURN FLIGHT HOME IN ORDER TO MAKE A MILITARY RESERVE COMMITMENT.  THE TEMPERATURE WAS 58 DEGREES F, DEW POINT 56 DEGREES F. THE PILOT TOLD A FRIEND AT THE AIRPORT THAT HE WAS GOING TO FOLLOW THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.  THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND THE FOLLOWING MORNING EIGHT MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT, AND THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE.  A STATE TROOPER ON DUTY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THAT FOG WAS FORMING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND THAT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS AN AREA WHERE FOG IS VERY COMMON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5478K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5478K-1991-10-03), registration cancelled 1991-10-03, S/N 17274144 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274144
- Airframe hours: 4193
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-DJ2 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Training, Ltd.
- Registered owner: Cliff Hamilton, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 15, 1991, 34 hours before
- Departed: BIS, BISMARK, ND
- Destination: FAR, FARGO, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 70 total, 10 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIS, 8 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 19910601018489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910601018489A), Jun 1, 1991: Cessna 172P, Bismarck, ND, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Encountered dense fog at night while trying to follow a freeway. Lost control and broke up on ground impact.

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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