# NTSB CHI94LA239: Cessna 172, N1399F, Marinette, WI, July 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 1994, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Marinette, WI - Coordinates: 45.080436, -87.619911 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0804&lon=-87.6199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9603 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9603/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA239 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AND THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - high vegetation - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS LANDING HIS AIRPLANE AT A RESTRICTED LANDING AREA THAT WAS BOUNDED BY TREES AND HIGH VEGETATION. HE SAID THE WINDS WERE SHIFTING FROM THE EAST TO WEST AT 14 KNOTS GUSTING TO 19 KNOTS. DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE PILOT SAID A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE AIRPLANE '... CAUSING A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.' THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND AND COLLIDED WITH HIGH VEGETATION LOCATED ABOUT TEN FEET FROM THE RUNWAY'S LEFT EDGE. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 1994, at 1315 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N1399F, registered to Richard Larson of Marinette, Wisconsin, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain during landing on runway 18 (2,640' X 100' dry sod) at the Larson Airport, Marinette, Wisconsin. The airport is classified as a restricted landing area. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries, a second passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, at 1155 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement on his NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the airplane was "...about 100 feet [above the ground when a] wind gust caught [the] aircraft causing a loss of directional control." He said he used "...full throttle to correct and depart, [the] aircraft did not respond in forward movement." During an interview with the pilot it was revealed that he was flying the final approach at 75 knots indicated airspeed. He said he had extended 10 degrees of flaps on the airplane. According to the pilot, the wind turned the airplane sideways during the landing flare. He said he "... firewalled the throttle..." to compensate for the wind. Shortly after applying full power, the airplane collided with high vegetation and the terrain on the left side of the runway. The pilot said the winds were shifting from the east and west at 14 knots gusting to 19 knots. He said that he had been operating in and out of this airport for many years. The pilot was asked to describe the runway's location relative to obstructions. He said the approach end of runway 18 has 30 to 40 foot high trees about 40 feet from the threshold. The runway's west edge is lined with trees for about the first third of its length. An open space follows the tree line at the midfield position for about 300 feet. The tree line then continues to an area next to the runway's end. The tree line is about 200 feet west of the runway's west edge. High vegetation follows the length of the runway's east edge. The pilot said it is about 10 feet in from the runway's edge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1399F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1399F-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 17254894, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-54894 - Airframe hours: 3215 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-320-C 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard Larson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1993, 34 hours before - Departed: FLD, FOND DU LAC, WI - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: RLA, Larson Airport, runway 18, 2,640 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,122 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,060 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19940721021029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940721021029A), Jul 21, 1994: Cessna 172H, Marinette, WI, Substantial damage. Landing in narrow restricted landing area. Lost control in wind gust on flare. Drifted into high vegetation. 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.