# NTSB MKC89LA056: Cessna 172, N4843G, Ainsworth, NE, January 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1989, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Ainsworth, NE
- Coordinates: 42.540405, -99.849555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5404&lon=-99.8496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA056

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF POWER FROM UNDETERMINED REASONS DURING AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PVT PLT SAID HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON RUNWAY 30, WITH A 40 DEGREE LEFT CROSSWIND OF ABOUT 15 KNOTS. DISSATISFIED WITH HIS APPROACH, HE ELECTED TO GO-AROUND BEFORE TOUCHDOWN. AFTER ESTABLISHING A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB AND ATTAINING ABOUT 150 FEET AGL, HE SAID THE ENGINE FAILED. HE WENT THROUGH NORMAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES IN AN EFFORT TO RESTART THE ENGINE WITHOUT SUCCESS. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A ROUGH FARM FIELD, BUT SAID HE FELT HE HAD LET HIS AIRSPEED DETERIORATE AND THE AIRCRAFT MUSH-STALLED COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND ENGINE RUN UP FAILED TO REVEAL THE CAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE. THE CARBURETOR AND HEAT BOX WERE DESTROYED BY THE IMPACT SO A REPLACEMENT CARBURETOR HAD TO BE FITTED FOR THE RUNUP. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL CONTAMINATION OR STARVATION/EXHAUSTION. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE NOT CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING. THE PLT HAD BEEN WELL TRAINED IN THE USAGE OF CARBURETOR LEANING TECHNIQUES AND CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL USAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4843G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4843G-2012-11-27), registration cancelled 2012-11-27, S/N 17273390, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 17273390
- Airframe hours: 7357
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alliance Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 8, 1989, 27 hours before
- Departed: AIA, ALLIANCE, NE
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ANW, Ainsworth, runway 30, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 41 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANW, 1 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 19890129001539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890129001539A), Jan 29, 1989: Cessna 172N, Ainsworth, NE, Substantial damage. Stall, mushed into open field during a go around. Blamed power loss but engine checked ok. High density altitude.

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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