# NTSB CHI92LA021: Cessna 172, N8283E, Bemidji, MN, November 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1991, 18:06 local (Nov 2, 1991, 00:06 UTC)
- Place: Bemidji, MN
- Coordinates: 47.479644, -94.869247 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4796&lon=-94.8692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15344
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15344/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA021

## 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

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - pitot/static system - blocked(total)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8283E-1993-08-16), registration cancelled 1993-08-16, S/N 17272169 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272169
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19911101048829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911101048829A), Nov 1, 1991: Cessna 172P, Bemidji, MN, Destroyed. Crashed into trees on climbout. Icing conditions,low ceiling and snow existed. Pitot heat off. Gas caps not secured

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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