# NTSB SEA91LA016: Cessna 172A, N5030A, Brigham City, UT, November 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1990, 20:00 local (Nov 15, 1990, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Brigham City, UT
- Coordinates: 41.510166, -112.040023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5102&lon=-112.0400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41363/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA016

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - water
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - not identified, pilot in command

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF FROM A PENINSULA IN NIGHT VMC, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A TURN TO DOWN WIND WAS MADE WHEN HE LOST SIGHT OF THE HORIZON. THE NEXT THING THE PILOT REMEMBERS IS THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING IN THE WATER AND NOSING OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5030A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5030A-2003-03-12), registration cancelled 2003-03-12, S/N 28030, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28030
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert E. Tilley
- Departed: ROZEL, UT
- Destination: BMC, BRIGHAM CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 115 total, 115 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 21 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19901114050259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901114050259A), Nov 14, 1990: Cessna 172, Brigham City, UT, Substantial damage. Flew into water after begining climbing turn and losing horizon reference. Failed to note descent and altitude.

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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