# NTSB GAA17CA215: Cessna 182, N8889X, Blue Earth, MN, April 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 2, 2017, 22:00 local (Apr 3, 2017, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Blue Earth, MN - Coordinates: 43.595275, -94.092781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5953&lon=-94.0928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA215 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94958/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94958 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA215 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue the night, visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain while on final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper use of an electronic flight bag. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 3,100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 1,311 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Indicating/recording systems](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023100): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023100/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023100/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: fog](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while approaching the destination airport in night, marginal visual meteorological conditions, he turned on the pilot-controlled runway lights. He added that he began a descent to the runway without observing the runway lights or airport and encountered "ground fog" about 200 to 300 ft above ground level (agl). He further added that he continued the descent to the runway while referencing the navigational moving map and GPS altitude on his electronic flight bag (EFB) application ForeFlight. Subsequently, while in a left turn, the airplane impacted terrain about 1 nautical mile south of the runway. The left wing, firewall, and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added that, while en route, he reset his airplane-installed barometric pressure altimeter to the GPS altitude indicated on his EFB, which resulted in a "300 ft. error." An automated weather observing station, about 14 nautical miles west of the accident airport, recorded visibility at 2 1/2 statute miles, light rain, mist, and an overcast cloud ceiling at 300 ft agl. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while approaching the destination airport, in night marginal visual meteorological conditions, he turned on the pilot controlled runway lights. He added that he began a descent to the runway, without observing the runway lights or airport, and encountered "ground fog" about 200 to 300 ft. above the ground. He further added that he continued the descent to the runway while referencing the navigational moving map and GPS altitude on his electronic flight bag (EFB) application ForeFlight. Subsequently, while in a left turn, the airplane impacted terrain about one nautical mile south of the runway. The left wing, firewall, and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added that while enroute, he reset his airplane installed barometric pressure altimeter to the GPS altitude indicated on his EFB, which resulted in a "300 ft. error." An automated weather observing station, about 14 nautical miles west of the accident airport, recorded visibility at 2 ½ statute miles, light rain, mist, and an overcast cloud ceiling at 300 ft. above ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8889X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8889X-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 18253289, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18253289 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 3143.15 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 21D, ST PAUL, MN - Destination: SBU, BLUE EARTH, MN - Airport: SBU, Blue Earth Muni, runway 34, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 1,069.8 total, 32.8 in this make and model, 1,069.8 as pilot in command, 12.1 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KFRM, 14 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 20170402008419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170402008419A), Apr 2, 2017: Cessna 182D, Blue Earth, MN, Substantial damage. Flight originated from lake elmo airport Minnesota enroute to Blue Earth municipal airport Minnesota. The flight was planned to be fully completed at night and… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94958. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452639&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.