# NTSB MKC88FA124: Cessna 172G, N4288L, Sarcoxie, MO, July 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1988, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Sarcoxie, MO
- Coordinates: 37.059284, -94.120223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0593&lon=-94.1202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA124

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES AT THE ACDNT SITE CHARACTERIZED THE WX AS HAVING A LOW CEILING WITH FOG. THEY RPRTD THEY SAW THE ACFT 'APPEAR OUT OF CLOUDS' IN A STEEP DESCENT. THE ACFT THEN BEGAN TO 'PULL UP;' HOWEVER, DURING RECOVERY FROM THE DIVE, THE ACFT STRUCK TREES & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. BEFORE HE TOOK OFF, THE WX AT SPRINGFIELD HAD DETERIORATED FROM SCATTERED CONDITIONS WITH 5 MI VIS TO 2800' BROKEN CEILING WITH 1 MI VIS & FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4288L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4288L-1990-04-05), registration cancelled 1990-04-05, S/N 17254357 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254357
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lloyd C. Hawken
- Registered owner: Hawken, Lloyd C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1988
- Departed: 3DW, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Destination: TUL, TULSA, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 524 total, 375 in this make and model, 524 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGF, 70 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 19880713026489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880713026489A), Jul 13, 1988: Cessna 172G, Sarcoxie, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Came out of clouds nose down, started pull up, hit trees, crashed. Low clouds and fog in area. Had weather brief.

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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