# Accident 20080208857779A: Cessna 172RG, Litchfield, IL, February 8, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 8, 2008, 12:05 local time
- Place: Litchfield, IL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.2564° N, 89.6150° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2564&lon=-89.6150&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4726V, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4726V-2008-08-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172RG (registry code 2072438, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 175 total, 175 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI08CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA079) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080208857779A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON FEBRUARY 11, 2008, AT APPROXIMATELY 1205 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME, A CESSNA 172RG, N4726V, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED OFF-FIELD LANDING NEAR LITCHFIELD, IL.  THE PILOT IN COMMAND WAS NOT INJURED, HOWEVER, THE SOLE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.  THE 14 CFR PART 91 PERSONAL PLEASURE FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED TO VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED.  IN HIS STATEMENT TO THE INVESTIGATOR IN CHARGE, THE PILOT IN COMMAND REPORTED THAT HE HAD MADE TWO LOW PASSES OVER NEARBY LITCHFIELD LAKE LOU YEAGER.  ON THE SECOND LOW PASS, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SOMETHING ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE LAKE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BEGIN VIBRATING AND LOSE PARTIAL POWER.  UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE THE PILOT STATED HE WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN OFF-FIELD LANDING.  INVESTIGATORS AT THE SCENE WERE INFORMED BY POLICE OF A SEVERED POWER LINE THAT SPANNED THE MID POINT OF THE LAKE.  EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER ON N4726V REVEALED DAMAGE CONSISTENT WITH A WIRE STRIKE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI08CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA079), Feb 8, 2008: Cessna 172RG (N4726V), Litchfield, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's intentional low altitude flight and his failure to maintain clearance from the static wire. Contributing to the accident were the static wire, the partial loss of engine power due to…

## Other reports on N4726V (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19841002057009I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841002057009I), Oct 2, 1984: Cessna 172RG (N4726V), Columbia, SC, Minor damage. Low battery for start. Failed to note no charge. Lost radios on takeoff. Failed to lock gear down manually.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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