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NTSB Report
August 6, 1991 · Cessna 172M · N61568
Ottumwa, IA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Ottumwa, IA
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N61568
Operator
Air Exec Onc
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI91FA254
DURING ARRIVAL, THE PILOT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS RUNWAY 31 APPROACH. AS HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO TREES AND THE TERRAIN, INSIDE THE OUTER MARKER, 4.0 MILES FROM THE THRESHOLD AND .19 MILE TO THE LEFT OF CENTERLINE. INITIAL IMPACT WAS ON A HEADING OF 356 DEGREES MAGNETIC AT AN ELEVATION OF 820 FEET MSL. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 845 FEET MSL. MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE (MDA) BEFORE REACHING THE ILS GLIDE SLOPE WAS 2800 FEET; MDA FOR A LOCALIZER ONLY APPROACH WAS 1200 FEET. DECISION HEIGHT (IF ESTABLISHED ON THE ILS LOCALIZER & GLIDEPATH) WAS 1041 FEET. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR SIGNIFICANT WEATHER PHENOMENA WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURE BY THE PILOT BY NOT MAINTAINING THE PROPER MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE (MDA) UNTIL ESTABLISHED ON THE ILS LOCALIZER AND GLIDEPATH.
Full Narrative
DURING ARRIVAL, THE PILOT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS RUNWAY 31 APPROACH. AS HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO TREES AND THE TERRAIN, INSIDE THE OUTER MARKER, 4.0 MILES FROM THE THRESHOLD AND .19 MILE TO THE LEFT OF CENTERLINE. INITIAL IMPACT WAS ON A HEADING OF 356 DEGREES MAGNETIC AT AN ELEVATION OF 820 FEET MSL. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 845 FEET MSL. MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE (MDA) BEFORE REACHING THE ILS GLIDE SLOPE WAS 2800 FEET; MDA FOR A LOCALIZER ONLY APPROACH WAS 1200 FEET. DECISION HEIGHT (IF ESTABLISHED ON THE ILS LOCALIZER & GLIDEPATH) WAS 1041 FEET. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR SIGNIFICANT WEATHER PHENOMENA WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:11 CDT
Nearest AirportOttumwa Industrial (4nm)
Runway31
Runway Length6499 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN61568
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAir Exec Onc
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 9 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC