- Date
- November 1, 1991, 18:06 local (Nov 2, 1991, 00:06 UTC)
- Place
- Bemidji, MN
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N8283ECessna 172
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report December 4, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19911101048829A
- Case key
- 15344
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Inadequate preflight planning and preparation by the pilot in command, the non performance o fan emergency procedure and not maintaining a positive rate of climb on behalf of the pilot in command. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot in command's not removing ice from the airplane, not obtaining altitude during the climb, and not maintaining directional control.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot of a single engined airplane had just received an IFR clearance. The airplane performed an intersection takeoff at night with winds gusting to 30 knots and blowing snow. Just prior to rotation the pilot stated he observed the airspeed indicator displaying '0'. He decided to takeoff because he believed insufficient runway remained for an aborted takeoff. After takeoff the pilot stated his other pressure instruments were not functioning properly. The airplane collided with tree and terrain approximately 2 miles from the airport's center. The on scene investigation revealed a slight trace of ice was on the wings leading edge. One of the two static ports was found with ice blocking it. The second static port was destroyed during the crash sequence. The alternate static source switch was found in the 'standby' position. The pilot stated, 'I figured I could use the alternate static source once I was up high enough to clear the trees.'
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8283E
- Reported as
- Cessna 172
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17272169
- Engine
- Lycoming 0320H2AD, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning · Part 91
- Operator
- Thief River Aviation
- Registered owner
- Thief River Aviation
- Destination
- TVF · Thief River Fls, MN
- Flight plan
- IFR
- Airport
- BJI · Bemidji Beltrami County, runway 31, 6,598 × 150 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 24
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 286 total · 30 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 320° at 15 knots
- Visibility
- 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 400 ft overcast
- Temperature
- -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at
- BJI, 2 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.