# NTSB NYC91FA034: Cessna 172M, N9086H, Perham, ME, November 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1990, 21:20 local (Nov 23, 1990, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Perham, ME
- Location: 46.8442° N, 68.1973° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Perham, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8442&lon=-68.1973&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA034

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INITIATING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE AND A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. THE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE EXISTING ICING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, missed approach (ifr)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - ice (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, missed approach (ifr)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TOLD OF FORECAST ICING CONDITIONS DURING TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT AND MADE 2 VOR APPROACHS. DURING THE APPROACHES THE FREEZING LEVEL WAS AT THE SURFACE AND THERE WAS A LIGHT DRIZZLE. AFTER THE SECOND MISSED APPROACH THE PILOT REQUESTED VECTORS BACK TO HIS ORIGINATING AIRPORT. THE CONTROLLER SAID WHEN LAST SEEN ON RADAR, THE AIRPLANE HAD DESCENDED FROM 2000 FEET TO 1200 FEET IN ABOUT 8 SECONDS. WHEN FOUND THE AIRPLANE HAD LARGE SURFACE AREAS COVERED WITH 1/8' ICE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ICE ON THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9086H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9086H-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 17265933 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265933
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-F2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air National Guard Aero Inc, doing business as Ang Aero Inc.
- Departed: BGN, BANGOR, ME
- Destination: PQI, PRESQUE ISLE, ME
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 251 total, 238 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PQI, 14 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 19901122051089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901122051089A), Nov 22, 1990: Cessna 172M, Presque Isle, ME, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees and crashed during VOR approach. Freezing rain in area and in briefing. Airframe iced up a factor.

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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