# NTSB CHI92FA254: Cessna 172N, N738HM, Marquette, MI, August 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1992, 22:50 local (Aug 25, 1992, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Marquette, MI
- Coordinates: 46.4902, -87.589546 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4902&lon=-87.5895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15308/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA254

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF AT 0400 AND FLEW 3 HOURS TO THE LOCATION OF THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED ANNUAL INSPECTIONS ON HIS AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT EXPRESSED AN INTENT TO OBTAIN THE INSPECTION AND RETURN THE SAME DAY.  ON THE RETURN FLIGHT, HE COMMENCED AN APPROACH TO HOME FIELD AT 2245 WITH WITH WEATHER BELOW APPROACH MINIMA IN FOG.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES 4 MILES FROM THE RUNWAY, CLOSE TO APPROACH CENTERLINE AND HEADING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738HM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738HM-1992-10-05), registration cancelled 1992-10-05, S/N 17269990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269990
- Airframe hours: 1299
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Weber, Edward
- Registered owner: Weber, Edward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: 2IN6, BUTLER, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MQT, Marquette County, runway 8, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 980 total, 550 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MQT, 4 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 19920824032989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920824032989A), Aug 24, 1992: Cessna 172N, Marquette, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended below dh on ILS approach. IMC in dark night existed. Weather below IFR landing minimun.

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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