# NTSB CHI82DA038: Cessna 172, N7804U, Greencastle, IN, February 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1982, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Greencastle, IN
- Coordinates: 39.639945, -86.83934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6399&lon=-86.8393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70899/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA038

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - not performed, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - notams - selected, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT AND REQUESTED LANDING ADVISORIES ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY. THE STUDENT STATED THAT SOMEBODY REPLIED THAT RUNWAY 18 WAS IN USE. BEFORE LANDING, THE PILOT OVERFLEW THE AIRPORT 4 TIMES. TWO OF THESE WERE LOW PASSES. THE PILOT NOTED TIRE TRACKS WHICH HE ESTIMATED WERE ABOUT ONE INCH DEEP. HOWEVER, THE RUNWAY WAS COVERED WITH 8 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW. THE PILOT MADE A SOFT FIELD LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT SLOWLY NOSED OVER AFTER IT HAD DECELERATED AND WAS ALMOST STOPPED. THE LATEST SNOWFALL HAD OCCURRED ABOUT 5 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE RUNWAY HAD NOT BEEN PLOWED AFTER THE SNOWFALL NOR HAD THE NEAREST FLIGHT SERVICE STATION BEEN INFORMED OF THE RUNWAY CONDITION. NO AIRPORT PERSONNEL HAD MADE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE UNICOM JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, THERE WERE SEVERAL AIRPORTS IN THE AREA THAT HAD NORTH-SOUTH RUNWAYS AND UTILIZED THE SAME UNICOM FREQUENCY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7804U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7804U-1983-04-29), registration cancelled 1983-04-29, S/N 17251804 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251804
- Airframe hours: 3037
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Touch N Go Flying Club
- Registered owner: Touch N Go Flying Club
- Departed: DECATUR, IL
- Destination: INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 4I7, Putnam County, runway 36, 3,200 × 0 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 39 total, 39 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Observed at: IND, 25 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 19820207002779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820207002779A), Feb 7, 1982: Cessna 172E, Greencastle, IN, Substantial damage. UNICOM advised runway 18. Landed, nosed over in 9-inch snow. UNICOM at another airport. No NOTAM on unplowed strip.

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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