# NTSB CHI92FA231: Cessna 120, N1947N, Maple, WI, August 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1992, 15:46 local (20:46 UTC)
- Place: Maple, WI
- Coordinates: 46.580013, -91.719375 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5800&lon=-91.7194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15306
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15306/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA231

## Probable cause

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - flight into known adverse weather, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing - separation
  - airspeed(vne) - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT CONTACTED THE APPROACH CONTROL FACILITY AND DECLARED '...MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY WE ARE IMC ACCIDENTAL....'  THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS NOT QUALIFIED AND THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS.  ATC ADVISED THE PILOT OF THE MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDE IN THE AREA, AND ATTEMPTED TO GUIDE THE PILOT TO VFR CONDITIONS. ONE HOUR AND THREE MINUTES AFTER THE INITIAL RADIO CONTACT, THE PILOT STATED '...WE'RE IN TROUBLE AGAIN....VNE IS EXCEEDED.'  NO FURTHER INTELLIGIBLE COMMUNICATIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE PILOT.  THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED ALONG A PATH 2,350 FEET LONG, WITH THE RIGHT WING PANEL LOCATED FARTHEST FROM THE MAIN FUSELAGE. WEATHER IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN WAS MARGINAL VFR TO IFR THROUGHOUT THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.  A WITNESS REPORTED OBTAINING A WEATHER REPORT FOR THE PILOT AND REVIEWING IT WITH HIM A FEW HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1947N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1947N-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 12187, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12187
- Airframe hours: 569
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Day, Daniel M. & Patrick K.
- Registered owner: Day, Daniel M. & Patrick K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: RCX, LADYSMITH, WI
- Destination: DLH, DULUTH, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 125 total, 85 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLH, 25 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 19920807029699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920807029699A), Aug 7, 1992: Cessna 120, Maple, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Continued flight into IMC. Lost control due vertigo. Exceeded vne. Broke up in flight. Not equipped for IFR 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.

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