# NTSB MKC90LA031: Cessna 172, N20428, Osage City, KS, November 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1989, 19:30 local (Nov 18, 1989, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Osage City, KS
- Coordinates: 38.62918, -95.819877 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6292&lon=-95.8199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE TO THE RUNWAY WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARK NIGHT AND STATIC WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD JUST COMPLETED A NIGHT TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING AND WAS ON AN APPROACH FOR A FULL STOP LNDG. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, THE PAX, WHO WAS ALSO A PVT PILOT, SHOUTED 'WATCH THE WIRES' AND PULLED BACK ON THE CONTROL WHEEL. THE PLT APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, BUT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES, THEN THE TERRAIN. THE WIRES WERE ABOUT ONE HALF MILE FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20428](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20428-1991-06-03), registration cancelled 1991-06-03, S/N 17261281 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1726128177
- Airframe hours: 1204
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Westwind Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 8, 1989, 81 hours before
- Departed: 53K, OSAGE CITY, KS
- Airport: 53K, Osage City, runway 35, 2,560 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 111 total, 111 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EMP, 25 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 19891117045969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891117045969A), Nov 17, 1989: Cessna R172E, Osage City, KS, Substantial damage. Struck unseen powerline on final for a night landing. Aircraft hit nose first and nosed over.

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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