# NTSB CHI92FA059: Cessna 172N, N73920, Cumberland, WI, December 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1991, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Cumberland, WI
- Coordinates: 45.529811, -92.020561 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5298&lon=-92.0206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15278/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA059

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL BY THE PILOT IN COMMND. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT ARE THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, A BLOCKED PITOT STATIC SYSTEM, LACK OF TOTAL EXPEREINCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPEREINCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

## 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
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - pitot/static system - blocked(total) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AFTER LOSING CONTROL DURING IMC FLIGHT (SNOW). FAA RECORDS SHOW THE PILOT HAD REQUESTED AN IFR CLEARANCE TO HIS DESTINATION WHILE HE WAS RECEIVING VFR FLIGHT FOLLOWING SERVICES. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE SHOWED THE PITOT TUBE PACKED WITH ICE CRYSTALS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73920](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73920-2003-02-25), registration cancelled 2003-02-25, S/N 17267745, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267745
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: American Air Center Inc.
- Registered owner: American Air Center Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: ANE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: IWD, IRONWOOD, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 922 total, 13 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 20 knots, gusting 24
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIE, 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 19911217063129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911217063129A), Dec 17, 1991: Cessna 172N, Cumberland, WI, Destroyed, 4 fatal. In snowstorm called mayday prior crash into woods. Air intake and pitot tube clogged by ice. Not current for IFR.

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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