# NTSB MIA91LA036: Cessna 550, N97QS, Sebring, FL, November 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1990, 02:15 local (07:15 UTC)
- Place: Sebring, FL
- Coordinates: 27.489648, -81.449684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4896&lon=-81.4497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND AFTER ENCOUNTERING A FOG BANK ON SHORT FINAL. THE FOG AND THE DARK NIGHT WERE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE CANCELLED HIS IFR FLIGHT WITH THE DESTINATION AIRPORT IN SIGHT. ON FINAL APPROACH AT 100 FT AGL, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A FOG BANK. A GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED BUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND ABOUT 1,000 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. CREW USED ORLANDO ATIS FOR WEATHER; NO FOG MENTIONED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N97QS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 550
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 550-0092
- Airframe hours: 4090
- Engines: P&W JT15D-4B 2500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: First Security Bank Utah
- Registered owner: First Security Bank Utah
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 27, 1990, 7 hours before
- Departed: LGA, NEW YORK, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SEF, Sebring Regional, runway 18, 5,190 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 22,058 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 19,618 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 30 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 19901129052199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901129052199A), Nov 29, 1990: Cessna 550, Sebring, FL, Substantial damage. Entered unseen fog bank on final visual approach. Descent not checked,hit ground short of runway. Unattended field.

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.