# NTSB CHI92FA119: Cessna 172H, N3884R, Browntown, WI, April 1, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 1992, 11:17 local (17:17 UTC) - Place: Browntown, WI - Coordinates: 42.569808, -89.790252 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5698&lon=-89.7903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 15286 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15286/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA119 ## Probable cause SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE SNOW CONDITIONS, AN INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION BY BOTH THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR, OVER CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY, INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION, VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE ON BEHALF OF THE PILOT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - snow (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE STUDENT PILOT HAD BEEN PLANNING TO TAKE HIS LONG SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS. ON THE ACCIDENT DATE THE STUDENT OBTAINED A COMPUTER WEATHER BRIEFING. THE WEATHER FOR THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT WAS FORECASTED TO HAVE A CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS. WEATHER AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WAS LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS DURING THE TIME OF THE BRIEFING AND PREDEPARTURE DISCUSSION THE STUDENT HAD WITH HIS INSTRUCTOR. THE STUDENT DEPARTED ON THE SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT DURING VERY LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS. APPROXIMATELY 8 TO 10 MINUTES AFTER THE STUDENT DEPARTED ON HIS FLIGHT, THE INSTRUCTOR CALLED HIM ON THE RADIO. THE INSTRUCTOR ASKED THE STUDENT HOW THE WEATHER WAS. THE STUDENT REPLIED THE VISIBILITY WAS THREE MILES. SHORTLY AFTER THIS CONVERSATION THE STUDENT CALLED THE AIRPORT AND STATED HE WAS LOST AND HAVING DIFFICULTY. THE AIRPORT MANAGER, A NON-PILOT, TOLD THE STUDENT TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. A GROUND WITNESS STATED HE HEARD AN AIRPLANE FLY OVER HEAD TWO TIMES DURING VERY HEAVY SNOW SHOWERS. DURING THE SECOND PASS THE WITNESS STATED HE HEARD A VACILLATING ENGINE SOUND AND A LOUD CRASH SOUND. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER THE WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE SOUNDS. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3884R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3884R-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 17255384, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-55384 - Airframe hours: 3331 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Paul M. Moe - Registered owner: Barry F. Heiser - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1991, 27 hours before - Departed: C33, MONROE, WI - Destination: RST, ROCHESTER, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 32 total, 9 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F ## 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 19920401007849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920401007849A), Apr 1, 1992: Cessna 172H, Browntown, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Student flew into snow storm. Vertigo and spiral dive indicated prior ground impact. CFI aware snow area for flight 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.