# NTSB CHI91FA026: Cessna 182D, N9075X, Walker, MI, November 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1990, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Walker, MI
- Coordinates: 42.979045, -85.710449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9790&lon=-85.7104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA026

## Probable cause

VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING, BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED, INDUCTION AIR FILTER ICING, EXCESSIVE WORKLOAD, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - snow
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - induction air control,air filter/screen - ice (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

PILOT DEPARTED ON LOCAL FLIGHT WITHOUT OBTAINING PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING. WHEN THE PILOT, WHO WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED, ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO HIS POINT OF DEPARTURE HE FLEW INTO A LINE OF SNOW SHOWERS WHICH HAD MOVED IN OFF OF LAKE MICHIGAN. PILOT CONTACTED ATC WHO PROVIDED RADAR SERVICE AND VECTORS TO VMC CONDITIONS FOR 30 MINUTES. PILOT COULD NOT HOLD HEADING LONG ENOUGH TO FLY OUT OF SNOW SHOWER. AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN DENSELY WOODED AREA. WITNESSES REPORT HEARING AIRCRAFT ENGINE RUNNING ERRATICALLY. INVESTIGATORS FOUND THE INDUCTION AIR FILTER FROZEN AND ICE COVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9075X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9075X-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 18253475, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182D
- Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253475
- Airframe hours: 873
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Z. Maxfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1990, 9 hours before
- Departed: 3GM, GRAND HAVEN, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 80 total, 10 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 20 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 13 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 19901111049659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901111049659A), Nov 11, 1990: Cessna 182D, Grand Rapids, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control in heavy snow shower during vectors to airport. Disintegrated by trees prior 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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