# NTSB CHI92LA029: Cessna 172, N73475, Howell, MI, November 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1991, 19:30 local (Nov 17, 1991, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Howell, MI
- Coordinates: 42.600704, -83.929054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6007&lon=-83.9291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA029

## Probable cause

PROPER GLIDEPATH WAS NOT MAINTAINED RESULTING IN AN UNDERSHOOT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS DARK NIGHT FLYING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING FINAL APPROACH, AT NIGHT, EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL UNTIL THE RIGHT WING STRUCK TREE BRANCHES.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED, STRIKING THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73475](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73475-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17267491, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267491
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Free Spirit Aviation
- Departed: LDM, LUDINGTON, MI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 3HE, Livingston County, runway 31, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 210 total, 33 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: FNT, 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 19911117051989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911117051989A), Nov 17, 1991: Cessna 172M, Howell, MI, Substantial damage. Too low on night landing approach. Struck trees,lost control,impacted short of runway.

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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