# NTSB CHI00LA115: Cessna 172R, N975BC, Battle Creek, MI, April 18, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 2000, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Battle Creek, MI - Coordinates: 42.290637, -85.219024 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2906&lon=-85.2190&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48996 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48996/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA115 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the misjudged landing flare, the student's lack of total experience, the runway lights, and the runway signs. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - runway light (contributing factor) - object - sign (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that he flared the airplane 20 to 30 feet above the runway and the airplane bounced. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway in a nose high attitude. The student reported he added power to abort the landing and the elevator struck runway lights and the runway signs. He stated he was able to get the airplane back on the runway centerline and the go around was aborted. He reported the winds were calm at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 2000, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172R, N975BC, operated by Western Michigan University, collided with two runway signs and two runway lights during an aborted landing following a loss of directional control. The landing was being made on runway 23 (10,000' x 150') at the Kellogg Airport, Battle Creek, Michigan. The student pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 local flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated at Battle Creek, Michigan, at 1305 edt. The student pilot reported that he flared the airplane 20 to 30 feet above the runway and the airplane bounced. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway in a nose high attitude. The student reported he added power to abort the landing and the elevator struck runway lights and the runway signs. He stated he was able to get the airplane back on the runway centerline and the go around was aborted. The pilot reported the winds were calm when the accident occurred. The Safety Officer for the International Pilot Training Centre at Western Michigan University reported, "The aircraft landed heavily veered to the left and bounced back into the air in a nose high attitude. Although power was reapplied to effect a "go around" procedure, the pilot was unable to recover the situation and witnesses report that the aircraft appeared to strike the ground, firstly with the left, then with the right elevator section. The aircraft struck two runway lights and two frangible taxiway/runway information boards to the left of runway 23 at the intersections with taxiway E and runway 13." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N975BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N975BC-2012-03-27), registration cancelled 2012-03-27, S/N 17280046, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280046 - Airframe hours: 1780 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Western Michigan University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, March 13, 2000, 80 hours before - Departed: BTL - Destination: BTL - Airport: BTL, Kellogg, runway 23, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BTL ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000418036999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000418036999A), Apr 18, 2000: Cessna 172R, Battle Creek, MI, No damage. (-23) On April 18, 2000 at 1418 EDT, a Cessna 172R, N975BC, operated by western Michigan university, collided with two runway signs and two runway lights… ## Other investigations on N975BC (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 CHI01LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA092), Feb 13, 2001: Cessna 172R (N975BC), Battle Creek, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: Aircraft control not maintained by the student pilot during the takeoff roll. Factors to the accident were the student pilot's lack of experience and the snowbank. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.