Cessna 172 accident near Marengo, Ohio, October 3, 1992
On October 3, 1992 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N3980F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marengo, Ohio (Zurik airport). 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
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DUE TO SUNGLARE, WHICH RESULTED IN A TREE STRIKE ON FINAL APPROACH.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 3, 1992 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Marengo, Ohio · Zurik · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N3980F · no longer on the register · serial 36880
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP SURROUNDED BY TREES. AS HE TURNED FINAL, HE REPORTED THE SUN WAS IN HIS EYES AND HE DRIFTED RIGHT OF COURSE, AND STRUCK A TREE WITH THE RIGHT WING. THE PILOT SAID HE LOST AIRSPEED AND WAS UNABLE TO FLARE. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE WHEEL AND LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ENGINE WAS TORN FROM ITS MOUNTS.
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: 294 hours in all; 77 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,337 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 25, 1992; 67 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6G4 Mt. Vernon OH at 10:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 1,800 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from CMH, 21 miles away
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.