# NTSB MKC89FA197: Cessna 172N, N733FY, Hyannis, NE, September 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1989, 20:30 local (Sep 21, 1989, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Hyannis, NE
- Coordinates: 42.000175, -101.760398 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0002&lon=-101.7604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34697
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34697/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA197

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE.  DARKNESS AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A COMPLETE WEATHER BRIEFING FOR HIS INTENDED ROUTE OF FLIGHT.  THE BRIEFING INCLUDED WARNING ADVISORIES AFFECTING HIS INTENDED ROUTE. THE PILOT FILED A VFR FLIGHT PLAN; HOWEVER, HE ENCOUNTERED MARGINAL WX CONDITIONS AT NIGHT WITH HEAVY RAIN.  HE ELECTED TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND LAND AT A NEARBY AIRPORT.  HE SAID HE LEANED FORWARD TO LOOK AT THE MAGNETIC COMPASS, BUT COULD NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING FURTHER ABOUT THE FLIGHT.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT HAD DESCENDED & COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733FY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733FY-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17268272, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268272
- Airframe hours: 1898
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Alliance Aero Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 1989, 47 hours before
- Departed: OLU, COLUMBUS, NE
- Destination: AIA, ALLIANCE, NE
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,523 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDR, 82 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 19890920035609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890920035609A), Sep 20, 1989: Cessna 172N, Hyannis, NE, Substantial damage. Ran into low ceiling and heavy rain at night. Failed to note descent 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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