# NTSB NYC91FA055: Cessna 172P, N9837L, Rattlesnake Isl, OH, January 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1991, 10:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Rattlesnake Isl, OH
- Coordinates: 41.63943, -82.820358 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6394&lon=-82.8204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36776/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA055

## Probable cause

THE CFI'S DELAYED DECISION TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND FROM A LONG LANDING AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - proper touchdown point - not attained
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO LAKE ERIE AFTER AN ABORTED LANDING ON RUNWAY 27 AT RATTLESNAKE ISLAND, OH. THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE STUDENT PILOT DROWNED, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE TURF RUNWAY WAS 100 FEET WIDE, 1500 FEET LONG, AND WAS COVERED WITH ONE INCH OF SNOW. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE CFI ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE CLIMB AND STRUCK THE WATER APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END. THE OCCUPANTS ATTEMPTED TO SWIM TO SHORE. THE WATER TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35 DEGREES F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9837L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9837L), registered now, S/N 17276629, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276629
- Airframe hours: 1882
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: T & G Flying Club
- Registered owner: Daviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1990, 52 hours before
- Departed: BKL, CLEVELAND, OH
- Airport: 580H, Rattlesnake Island, runway 27, 1,500 × 100 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,517 total, 420 in this make and model, 2,359 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 32 °F

## 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 19910102000069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910102000069A), Jan 2, 1991: Cessna 172P, Put In Bay, OH, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Began belated go around dragged tail on over rotation near end runway. Tail hit rocks. Settled into lake. Flaps 20.

## Other investigations on N9837L (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 GAA19CA558](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA558), Aug 9, 2019: Cessna 172 (N9837L), Chicago, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, porpoised landing.

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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