# NTSB CEN14CA155: Cessna 172M, N9801V, South Bend, IN, February 26, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 26, 2014, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: South Bend, IN
- Coordinates: 41.708332, -86.317222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7083&lon=-86.3172&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 1, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88902/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88902
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA155

## Probable cause

The pilot involved and the phase of flight when the damage was incurred were not determined.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During an annual inspection on February 26, 2014, a mechanic discovered buckling, compression, and kinking of both firewall sections. In addition the front floor sections, front belly sections, front belly skin, center pedestal, and numerous stringers, and angles were damaged. The airplane was operated by a flying club. The flying club was unable to factually determine when the damage took place; however, it is possible that the damage was associated with nosewheel damage that was discovered earlier on December 2, 2013.

## Factual narrative

During an annual inspection on February 26, 2014, a mechanic discovered buckling, compression, and kinking of both firewall sections. In addition the front floor sections, front belly sections, front belly skin, center pedestal, and numerous stringers, and angles were damaged. The airplane was operated by a flying club. The flying club was unable to factually determine when the damage took place; however, it is possible that the damage was associated with nosewheel damage that was discovered earlier on December 2, 2013.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9801V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9801V-2018-06-04), registration cancelled 2018-06-04, S/N 17264509, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M (M)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264509
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 11324
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Wings Inc
- Registered owner: Wings Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 2013
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported

## Other investigations on N9801V (2)

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 CHI84LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA217), Jun 4, 1984: Cessna 172M (N9801V), Mt. Pleasant, MI, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI79DEP62](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEP62), Jul 20, 1979: Cessna 172 (N9801V), Coleman, WI, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 14, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88902. 313 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 313 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410628&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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