# NTSB MKC85LA176: Cessna 172, N54666, Cape Girardeau, MO, August 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1985, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Cape Girardeau, MO
- Coordinates: 38.160037, -90.829162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1600&lon=-90.8292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - radio communications - not used
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT, THE STUDENT PLT BECAME LOST/DISORIENDED. WHEN THE ACFT'S FUEL LEVEL BECAME LOW AT DUSK, THE STUDENT ELECTED TO LAND ON A GRAVEL ROAD. AS THE ACFT WAS ON THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A BRACE WIRE FOR A POWER LINE POLE. THE ACFT THEN SPUN AROUND ABOUT 180 DEG & CAME TO REST IN A DITCH. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED APRX 5 MI FROM THE DESTINATION ARPT. THE STUDENT ADMITTED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE USED HIS RADIO TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N54666 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275032
- Airframe hours: 1336
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lazy 8 Flying Club
- Registered owner: Dennis E. Robinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1985, 5 hours before
- Departed: K02, PERRYVILLE, MO
- Destination: CGI, CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 96 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGI, 5 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 19850803076409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850803076409A), Aug 3, 1985: Cessna 172P, Cape Girardeau, MO, Substantial damage. Lost on solo crosscountry. Forgot lost procedures. Ran low on fuel. Landed on road, hit wire, ran into ditch.

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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