N8584X

Substantial
Minor

CESSNA P172DS/N: P17257184

Accident Details

Date
Monday, January 18, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA100
Location
Cedar Rapids, IA
Event ID
20100118X21319
Coordinates
41.884445, -91.710556
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain a proper glidepath during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument proficiency.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N8584X
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
P17257184
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1963
Model / ICAO
P172DC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
PRAIRIE HAWK INC
Address
305 W MAIN ST STE A
Status
Deregistered
City
WASHINGTON
State / Zip Code
IA 52353-1724
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot contacted an Automated Flight Service Station for a weather briefing around 0730 on the morning of the flight. At that time he was informed that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended and that instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were expected to remain along the route until at least 1200. The briefer stated that the ceiling at the pilot’s destination of the Washington Municipal Airport (AWG), Washington, Iowa, would probably be 2,000 feet overcast at best later in the day. The pilot decided to delay the flight until later in the day. At 1600, the pilot departed Tulsa, Oklahoma, without obtaining another weather briefing. He requested and was receiving flight following during the flight. The pilot reported that while en route he was going to stop for fuel; however, the airport was IMC so he decided to continue to his destination. Upon reaching AWG he determined that the weather was IMC, so he diverted to the Cedar Rapids-Eastern Iowa (CID) Airport, where he requested emergency assistance. The approach controller offered a VFR airport in Minnesota; however, the pilot stated he did not have enough fuel to get there. The pilot stated he had practiced instrument landing system (ILS) approaches during a flight review. The controller then gave the pilot vectors and a frequency for the ILS runway 27 approach. The pilot stated he flew a course of about 280 degrees because of the winds and attempted to maintain the glideslope, but he became confused by the glideslope needle. The airplane contacted the terrain about 2 miles east of the airport. The pilot received minor injuries and was able to call for help using his cell phone. The airplane received substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA100