# NTSB CHI01LA069: Cessna 172L, N4378Q, Culver, IN, January 21, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 21, 2001, 15:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Culver, IN - Coordinates: 41.210689, -86.419563 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2107&lon=-86.4196&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 21, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 51379 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51379/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA069 ## Probable cause the proper glide path not attained by both pilots during a short field landing. The snow bank was a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - proper glidepath - not attained, other person (cause) ## Analysis The airplane impacted a snow bank located at the approach end of the runway during a short field landing at the Fleet Field Airport, Culver, Indiana. The three certified flight instructors (CFIs) aboard the airplane were employed as CFIs at the accident airport. The right seat pilot was flying a stabilized approach when the left seat pilot, acting as pilot-in-command, took over the controls in an attempt to avoid the snow bank by executing a go-around. At the application of engine power, the airplane impacted the snow bank and left main landing gear separated from the airframe and impacted the horizontal stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On January 21, 2001, at 1555 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172L, N4378Q, piloted by a certified flight instructor, was substantially damaged during a short field landing on runway 34 (2,400 feet by 65 feet, asphalt) at the Fleet Field Airport, Culver, Indiana. The airplane impacted a snow bank along the final approach path to the runway. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. All three certified flight instructors aboard reported no injuries. The flight departed from the Fulton County Airport, Rochester, Indiana, at time unknown. The pilot reported, "We were performing a short field landing into a short field (Fleet Field). We had a stabilized approach to the field at 60 mph. We cleared the obstructions at the edge of the runway (trees), and then proceeded to landing. Upon reaching the runway threshold we noticed that the snow had been piled up at the end of the runway. We realized that we were not going to clear the snow pile and proceeded to execute a go-around. By the time the power was added we hit the snow. The left main landing gear came off upon impact. It then struck the horizontal stabilizer. I managed to keep the plane on the two remaining gear until the wings would no longer support lift. The plane then veered off the left side of the runway and came to rest in a snow bank... ." During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he has made 1000's of landings at the Fleet Field Airport where he and the two other certified flight instructors work as flight instructors. He stated that they were practicing short field landings with the pilot in the right seat at the controls. The left seat pilot took over the controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4378Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4378Q), registered now, S/N 17260278, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17260278 - Engines: Textron Lyc. 032E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mentone Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RCR, Rochester, IN - Destination: IN73, Culver, IN - Airport: IN73, Fleet Field, runway 34, 2,400 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review January 19, 2000; seat: left - Co-pilot; age 22; injuries: none; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: GSH, 38 nm away ## 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 20010121003149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010121003149A), Jan 21, 2001: Cessna 172L, Culver, IN, Substantial damage. (-19) On January 21, 2001, at 1555 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172L, N4378Q, piloted by a certified flight instructor, was substantially damaged during a… 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.