# NTSB CHI91LA017: Cessna 172, N738AP, Portage, WI, October 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1990, 18:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Portage, WI
- Coordinates: 43.540924, -89.459884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5409&lon=-89.4599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA017

## Probable cause

THE PIC BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTATED AND PERFORMED A PREMATURE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system,alternator - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,battery - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - loose (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,rotating beacon - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT DURING A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED. AFTER TRYING TO FIND A NEARBY AIRPORT, AND CIRCLING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, A PRECAUTIONARY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED, WITHOUT FLAPS OR LIGHTS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE, ON A ROAD WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPORT BEACON WAS INOPERABLE AND BRIGHTLY LIGHTED CONSTRUCTION ADJACENT THE AIRPORT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO LOCATE. LOOSE CONNECTIONS WERE FOUND ON THE BATTERY TERMINAL AND THE ALTERNATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738AP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738AP-1991-01-26), registration cancelled 1991-01-26, S/N 17269827 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269827
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Global Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: C48, SANDWICH, IL
- Destination: AIG, ANTIGO, WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 970 total, 382 in this make and model, 832 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 310° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MSN, 40 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 19901027047139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901027047139A), Oct 27, 1990: Cessna 172N, Portage, WI, Substantial damage. Lost electrical at night. Collapsed nose gear landing on road and nosed over loose battery wire and alternator field

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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