Cessna 172 N73436

Summary

On 26 March 1993 at about 01:00 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N73436, operated by Central Ohio Flying Assoc., was involved in an accident near Lewisburg, Ohio, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 March 1993 at 01:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Lewisburg, Ohio, United States

Coordinates

40.0995, -83.7498

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N73436

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Central Ohio Flying Assoc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Urbana → Columbus

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

BFO93LA059

3 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT AND INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM AN ELEVATION OF 1,060 FEET MSL IN VFR WEATHER, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED GROUND FOG. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO MANEUVER AROUND THE FOG, BUT THE AIRPLANE ENTERED ANOTHER LAYER OF GROUND FOG. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, HE GLANCED AT HIS INSTRUMENTS AND NOTICED THE AIRPLANE WAS DESCENDING. HE SAID HE STARTED TO ATTAIN A CLIMB ATTITUDE WHEN HE SAW THE TERRAIN DIRECTLY BELOW. HE SAID HE TRIED TO PULL UP BUT THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE LOCAL WEATHER WAS REPORTING 6 TO 8 MILES VISIBILITY AND GROUND FOG. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF 1,280 FEET MSL DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS. THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS NON INSTRUMENT RATED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.