# NTSB CHI92LA173: Cessna 172P, N52142, Ladysmith, WI, June 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1992, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Ladysmith, WI
- Coordinates: 45.460758, -91.089103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4608&lon=-91.0891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA173

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND THE ATTEMPTED ABORT OF THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ATTEMPT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - became lost/disoriented - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - selected, pilot in command
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE BECAME LOST ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. HE REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM ATC AND WAS GIVEN DIRECTIONS TO AN AIRPORT WHERE HE LANDED AND REFUELED.  HE RESUMED HIS FLIGHT BUT BECAME LOST AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR AFTER DEPARTURE HE NOTED THE FUEL GAUGES ON THE AIRPLANE SHOWED EMPTY.  HE ELECTED TO PERFORM AN OFF AIRPORT PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.  HE ABORTED THE LANDING AFTER TOUCHDOWN AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AS HE ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB AWAY FROM THE FIELD.  A WITNESS WHO ASSISTED THE PILOT AND PASSENGER AFTER THE ACCIDENT REPORTED HE SMELLED FUEL WHILE HE WAS AT THE SITE.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE VERIFIED THE PRESENCE OF FUEL IN BOTH WING TANKS. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52142](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52142-1994-09-14), registration cancelled 1994-09-14, S/N 17274423 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274423
- Airframe hours: 3651
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: A & M Aviation
- Registered owner: A & M Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 3, 1992, 70 hours before
- Departed: LSE, LACROSS, WI
- Destination: HAYWARD, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 88 total, 43 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAU, 30 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 19920613019949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920613019949A), Jun 13, 1992: Cessna 172P, Ladysmith, WI, Destroyed. Off course and fuel low. Elected to land in a field. Overshot,began go around and struck trees.

## Other investigations on N52142 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI86LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA002), Oct 2, 1985: Cessna 172 (N52142), Crivitz, WI, substantial damage

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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