# NTSB CHI91LA196: Cessna 172RG, N9431D, Hawley, MN, June 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1991, 21:25 local (Jun 19, 1991, 02:25 UTC)
- Place: Hawley, MN
- Coordinates: 46.870731, -96.31034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8707&lon=-96.3103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA196

## Probable cause

INATTENTIVENESS OF BOTH THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND THE STUDENT PILOT, AND FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT IS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat - not used, dual student (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - inattentive, dual student (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE RATED STUDENT PILOT AND CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WERE ON A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  TWENTY MILES FROM THE INTENDED DESTINATION, STUDENT PILOT STARTED DESCENT FROM CRUISING ALTITUDE OF 6,500 FEET. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD.  DURING LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DITCH SEPARATING THE FIELD THE PILOT LANDED IN AND THE FIELD ADJACENT TO IT. AFTER REMOVAL FROM THE FIELD, THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, AND RAN WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR CARBURETOR ICING, TEMPERATURE 72 DEGREES F, DEW POINT 53 DEGREES F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9431D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9431D-1999-03-15), registration cancelled 1999-03-15, S/N 172RG1159 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG1159
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Crystal Shampock, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MIC, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: FAR, FARGO, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,692 total, 82 in this make and model, 1,642 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 20 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 19910618022469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910618022469A), Jun 18, 1991: Cessna 172RG, Hawley, MN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on descent to airport. Landed short striking a fence. Conditions favorable for carburetor icing.

## Other investigations on N9431D (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW96LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA238), Jun 6, 1996: Cessna 172RG (N9431D), Leadville, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: Inadequate preflight planning and preparation and failure to follow aircraft operating procedures and directives. Factors were high density altitude, inadequate training of the flight instructor and…

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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