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NTSB Report
November 27, 1991 · Cessna 172RG · N9589B
Litchfield, MN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 27, 1991
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Litchfield, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG
Tail Number
N9589B
Operator
Wright Aero
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI92FA035
PILOT WHO WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED ATTEMPTED VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN IMC CONDITIONS. AIRCRAFT AND THE FOUR PERSONS ON BOARD WERE MISSING FOR THREE DAYS. AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND CRASHED INTO FROZEN LAKE HALF WAY TO INTENDED DESTINATION. PILOT GOT TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS DURING WHICH HE WAS ADVISED OF IMC CONDITIONS ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT AND AT INTENDED DESTINATION, AND THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT FACTOR IN THAT HE HAD SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE; VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC, DISREGARDING HAZARDOUS WEATHER ADVISORIES, PERFORMING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND OVERCONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Full Narrative
PILOT WHO WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED ATTEMPTED VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN IMC CONDITIONS. AIRCRAFT AND THE FOUR PERSONS ON BOARD WERE MISSING FOR THREE DAYS. AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND CRASHED INTO FROZEN LAKE HALF WAY TO INTENDED DESTINATION. PILOT GOT TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS DURING WHICH HE WAS ADVISED OF IMC CONDITIONS ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT AND AT INTENDED DESTINATION, AND THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN9589B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWright Aero
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-F1A6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind170° @ 5 kt
CeilingOvercast 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 23 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:52
Weather SourceWFAC