# NTSB CHI92FA228: Cessna 172H, N8183L, Grayling, MI, August 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1992, 23:05 local (Aug 2, 1992, 03:05 UTC)
- Place: Grayling, MI
- Coordinates: 44.649726, -84.69979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6497&lon=-84.6998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA228

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - weather forecast - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INTENDED A DAYTIME CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE PASSENGER ARRIVED LATE, AND THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED AFTER SUNSET.  NO RECORD OF A WEATHER BRIEF WAS FOUND.  TWO HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF, THE FLIGHT ENENTERED AN AREA OF THUNDERSHOWERS AND HEAVY RAIN.  RESIDENTS NEAR THE CRASH SITE HEARD THE LOUD ENGINE NOISE OF AN AIRPLANE PASSING LOW OVERHEAD.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES WHILE HEADING AWAY FROM ITS DESTINATION IN A SHALLOW DESCENT, WITH 40 DEGREES RIGHT BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8183L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8183L-1993-01-15), registration cancelled 1993-01-15, S/N 17256383 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256383
- Airframe hours: 3173
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Safety Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Kevin Kennedy & 3 Partners
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1992, 172 hours before
- Departed: 1D2, PLYMOUTH, MI
- Destination: ISQ, MANISTIQUE, MI
- Airport: 55D, Grayling Aaf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 537 total, 477 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 45 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 19920801032059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920801032059A), Aug 1, 1992: Cessna 172H, Grayling, MI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into area of heavy rain at night. Lost control. Descended into trees. Severe weather in area. No briefing.

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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