# NTSB MKC89LA186: Cessna 172, N80357, Clear Lake, MN, August 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1989, 21:00 local (Aug 23, 1989, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Clear Lake, MN
- Coordinates: 45.439098, -93.990669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4391&lon=-93.9907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34854/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA186

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION IN ATTEMPTING TO LAND WITH INADEQUATE VISUAL CUES WHICH PRECLUDED IDENTIFICATION OF A CORRECT RUNWAY ALIGNMENT. A SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE AIRPORT WAS READILY AVAILABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airport/facilities - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHE RETURNED TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT LATER THAN PLANNED AND NIGHT LANDING CONDITIONS EXISTED ON ARRIVAL. THE SOD RUNWAY HAD ONLY TWO LIGHTS ON THE END OF THE RUNWAY TO AID NIGHT OPERATIONS. THE PILOT SAID IF SHE WAS UNABLE TO LAND, SHE WOULD RETURN TO ST. CLOUD, A FULL FACILITY AIRPORT, ABOUT 10 MILES FROM THERE. SHE SAID THAT SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD SEE THE OUTLINE OF THE SOD AIRSTRIP, SO ELECTED TO LAND. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED TO THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY IN A SOFT BEAN FIELD DURING THE LANDING ROLL IT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80357](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80357-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 17266546, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266546
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leaders Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: BRD, BRAINERD, MN
- Destination: 8Y6, CLEAR LAKE, MN
- Airport: 8Y6, Leaders, runway 36, 3,000 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 104 total, 40 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Observed at: STC, 10 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 19890822031489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890822031489A), Aug 22, 1989: Cessna 172M, Clear Lake, MN, Substantial damage. Tried to land on a sod strip with only two lights at end of strip. Landed on side of strip in soft ground. Nosed over

## Other investigations on N80357 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI99LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA040), Nov 27, 1998: Cessna 172M (N80357), Brainerd, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The visual lookout not obtained/maintained by the pilot of the other aircraft. Contributing factors were the unicom frequency not selected and the traffic advisory not issued by the pilot of the…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.