# NTSB CHI03LA161: Cessna 172M, N20553, Gridley, IL, June 15, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 2003, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Gridley, IL
- Coordinates: 40.723056, -88.866668
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7231&lon=-88.8667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-Springfield FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA161

## Probable cause

The checklist not followed by the pilot and the fuel starvation of the engine.  The incorrect fuel tank selector position by the pilot,, and the lack of recurrent training were contributing factors.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - incorrect, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power on takeoff.  The pilot reported he did not have the fuel valve in the proper position during takeoff.  The pilot stated he turned to the left to avoid landing in a ditch, after the engine failed during initial climb.  The pilot's last biennial flight review was June 6, 1997.

## Factual narrative

On June 15, 2003, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N20553, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain after takeoff from runway 36 (2,200 feet by 70 feet, turf) at Kuntz Field Airport, Gridley, Illinois.  The pilot reported leaving the fuel selector switch in the off position prior to takeoff.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The pilot reported minor injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating without a flight plan.  The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported he "did not have the fuel valve in the proper position on takeoff."  The pilot stated he turned to the left to avoid landing in a ditch, after the engine failed during intial climb.  The airplane landed in a field and subsequently nosed over.

According to the pilot's written statement, his last biennial flight review was June 6, 1997.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20553](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20553), registered now, S/N 17261388, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- 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: 172C1388
- Airframe hours: 2798.3
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2W 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kuntz Trucking Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 2002, 40 hours before
- Departed: IS64, Gridley, IL
- Destination: IS64
- Airport: IS64, Kuntz Field Airport, runway 36, 2,200 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 28, 1997; seat: left; flight hours: 302 total, 302 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: BMI, 14 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 20030615012189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030615012189A), Jun 15, 2003: Cessna 172M, Gridley, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 15, 2003 at approximately 1730 central daylight time, N20553 experienced a loss of power during take off from a 2300 foot restricted landing area…

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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