# NTSB MKC82FA023: Cessna 172N, N1589E, 5m E. Greensbur, KS, January 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1982, 07:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: 5m E. Greensbur, KS
- Coordinates: 37.600479, -99.290771 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6005&lon=-99.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FOR A FLT TO DODGE CITY,KS. THE FSS SPECIALIST ASKED THE PLT IF HE WAS PROPOSING HIS FLIGHT UNDER IFR SINCE HIS DESTINATION WAS REPORTING IMC. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE WAS. A GROUND WITNESS AT HAVILAND,KS LOCATED ABOUT 5 MILES EAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE OBSERVED AN AIRPLANE FLYING WESTWARD PARALLELING U.S. HWY 54 & A SINGLE-RAILROAD TRACK. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT AN ALTITUDE BELOW THE TOP OF A 319FT WATERTOWER. THE PLT'S WIFE STATED HE WAS CAPABLE OF FLYING THE ACFT UNDER INSTRUMENT WX CONDITIONS & HAD DEMONSTRATED HIS ABILITY TO DO SO ON TWO OCCASIONS BY CLIMBING & DESCENDING THROUGH CLOUDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1589E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1589E-1985-01-08), registration cancelled 1985-01-08, S/N 17271055 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271055
- Airframe hours: 1292
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary Lee Houser
- Registered owner: W. Martin Jr./Gary Houser/B. C
- Departed: WICHITA, KS
- Destination: GREENSBURG, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 76 total, 76 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 115 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DDC, 40 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 19820129002209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820129002209A), Jan 29, 1982: Cessna 172N, Greensburg, KS, Destroyed. VFR pilot proceeded into IMC, lost control while in fog at a low altitude. Flew into ground.

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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