# NTSB CHI93FA063: Cessna T337G, N1ZD, Smiths Creek, MI, January 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1993, 19:20 local (Jan 4, 1993, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Smiths Creek, MI
- Coordinates: 42.910446, -82.599739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9104&lon=-82.5997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15584
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15584/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA063

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE APPROACH. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING AN ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 4, AT NIGHT, IN IFR CONDITIONS, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES AND THE GROUND 1/4 MI WEST OF THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE ANGLE MEASURED FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT CRATER THROUGH THE BROKEN LIMBS WAS 45 DEG. NO PRE-IMPACT ANOMALIES WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINES, PROPELLERS, AIRFRAME, OR ACCESSORIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1ZD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1ZD-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N P3370264, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T337G
- Registry model: [Cessna T337G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t337g) (registry code 2075726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P3370264
- Airframe hours: 1828
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-C 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mowat, Douglas H.
- Registered owner: Mowat, Douglas H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1992, 131 hours before
- Departed: EVV, EVANSVILLE, IN
- Destination: PHN, PORT HURON, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PHN, St Clair County Intl, runway 4, 5,103 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,399 total, 291 in this make and model, 1,275 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHN, 1 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 19930103000049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930103000049A), Jan 3, 1993: Cessna T337G, Port Huron, MI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Crashed into trees and terrain while executing ILS approach. Moderate icing had been forecast.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.