# NTSB CHI93LA177: Cessna 120, N2976N, Crawford, NE, May 21, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1993, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Crawford, NE
- Coordinates: 42.680435, -103.410095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6804&lon=-103.4101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA177

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A ROUND-ROBIN OUT OF RAPID CITY, SD. DURING A REFUELING STOP AT CHADRON, NE, HE INQUIRED ABOUT SCENIC SPOTS IN THE AREA. AFTER HEARING ABOUT A RIDGE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WOULD PROBABLY TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A VERTICAL DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2976N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2976N-1994-03-17), registration cancelled 1994-03-17, S/N 13234 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13234
- Airframe hours: 2224
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald Brodowicz/Vera Virchow
- Registered owner: Ronald Brodowicz/Vera Virchow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1992, 22 hours before
- Departed: CDR, CHADRON, NE
- Destination: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,035 total, 215 in this make and model, 1,936 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDR, 18 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 19930521014729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930521014729A), May 21, 1993: Cessna 120, Crawford, NE, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impact near vertical in open field. No anomalies. No witnesses. Cause unknown.

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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