# NTSB MKC90FA019: Cessna 320, N5725X, Nebraska City, NE, October 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1989, 21:15 local (Oct 28, 1989, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Nebraska City, NE
- Coordinates: 40.669029, -95.859222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6690&lon=-95.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34873
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90FA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34873/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90FA019

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT INTO IFR CONDITIONS AND THE FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALITTUDE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S OVER CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY AND THE LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING DURING WHICH HE WAS INFORMED THAT IFR CONDITIONS EXISTED ALONG THE PLANNED ROUTE TO AUBURN, NB. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE FLYING LOW ALONG A HIGHWAY EAST OF THE REPORTED INTENDED DESTINATION AIRSTRIP. THEY REPORTED THE LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS AS FOGGY WITH A LIGHT MIST. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A FIELD ABOUT 16 MILES NORTH OF THE INTENDED AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5725X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5725X-1990-08-10), registration cancelled 1990-08-10, S/N 3200025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320
- Registry model: [Cessna 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320) (registry code 2074502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 320-0025
- Airframe hours: 2743
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-470-B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steve Lyon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1989
- Departed: JEF, JEFFERSON CITY, MO
- Destination: K01, AUBURN, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 362 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIE, 45 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 19891027043409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891027043409A), Oct 27, 1989: Cessna 320, Nebraska City, NE, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into side of a hill. Was observed at low altitude at night in dense fog and mist. IMC forecast.

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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