# NTSB CHI92LA192: Cessna 177, N3195T, Erie, IL, June 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1992, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Erie, IL
- Coordinates: 41.649959, -90.080917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6500&lon=-90.0809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA192

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE MADE AN EFFORT TO IDENTIFY POWERLINES ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY HE WAS GOING TO LAND ON. HE STATED HE DID NOT SEE ANY WIRES DURING THE TIME HE FLEW A BASE LEG AND FINAL APPROACH.  WHILE ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT BECAME AWARE OF THE WIRES AND APPLIED BACK PRESSURE IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE WIRES.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE WIRES AND DESCENDED, UNCONTROLLED, ONTO THE CLEARWAY AREA WHICH PRECEDED THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE 30 FOOT HIGH WIRES WERE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. THE POLES AND WIRES DID NOT HAVE HAZARD MARKINGS. THE WIRES HAD A COLORATION THAT BLENDED INTO THE TERRAIN THE PILOT WOULD SEE AS HE APPROACHED THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3195T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3195T-1995-09-16), registration cancelled 1995-09-16, S/N 17700495 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177-00495
- Airframe hours: 2379
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maple City Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Maple City Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 41 hours before
- Departed: IS37, GENESEO, IL
- Airport: RLA, Earl Air Ranchette, runway 18, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,390 total, 640 in this make and model, 1,336 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SQI, 17 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 19920628023899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920628023899A), Jun 28, 1992: Cessna 177, Erie, IL, Substantial damage. Struck 30 foot high unmarked powerline on short final. Close proximity to runway of power pole and wires a factor.

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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