Cessna R172K accident near Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, July 22, 1989
On July 22, 1989 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Cessna R172K, registered N736DA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO INSURE THE OIL FILLER CAP WAS PROPERLY SECURED WHEN HE SERVICED THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE TAKEOFF, AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF OIL AND OIL EXHAUSTION. THE TREE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 1989 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna R172K · all R172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N736DA · no longer on the register · serial R1722434
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT HEARD A 'MUFFLED POP' FROM THE ENG. APRX 30 SEC LATER, HE NOTICED SMOKE ENTERING THE COCKPIT & SOME POWER LOSS. OIL PRESSURE WAS OBSERVED GOING TO ZERO. THE PLT SHUT OFF THE FUEL & MADE AN EMERG LANDING. DRG THE LANDING, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. A POST-ACDNT INSPN REVEALED THE OIL FILLER CAP WAS LOOSE & HANGING FROM ITS CHAIN. A TEARDOWN INSPN OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL DEFECTS WHICH WOULD HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR THE OIL LOSS.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 154 hours in all; 69 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 154 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,938 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 17, 1989; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-360-K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C25 Waverly IA
- Destination: FLD Fond Du Lac WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,200 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.