# NTSB MKC89LA100: Cessna 172, N5092D, Wentzville, MO, May 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1989, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Wentzville, MO
- Coordinates: 38.80952, -90.850364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8095&lon=-90.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY,  THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING THE LANDING, AND THE LOCATION OF THE POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT DUE TO MARGINAL VFR WX & RAIN, HE ELECTED TO LAND AT AN EN ROUTE ARPT TO WAIT FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE WX. HE LANDED WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND. ONCE ON THE RWY, HE FELT HE COULD NOT STOP IN THE REMAINING DISTANCE. HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE LANDING, BUT WAS UNABLE TO GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR POWER LINES NORTH OF THE ARPT. AFTER HITTING THE POWER LINES, THE ACFT CRASHED ONTO A PARKING LOT. THE PLT SAID HE COULD NOT LOCATE THE WINDSOCK & WAS UNAWARE OF THE WIND CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5092D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5092D-1991-11-18), registration cancelled 1991-11-18, S/N 17272418 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272418
- Airframe hours: 1568
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Schye, Brenda K.
- Registered owner: Bischke, Marlyn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1989, 23 hours before
- Departed: DEC, DECATUR, IL
- Destination: MO50
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: M050, Wentzville, runway 36, 2,395 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 159 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUS, 20 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 19890504010779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890504010779A), May 4, 1989: Cessna 172M, Wentzville, MO, Substantial damage. Too long and fast for landing. Tried go around, hit wires and crashed. Was unaware was landing downwind.

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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