# NTSB CHI82DA273: Cessna 120, N2902N, Niles, MI, July 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1982, 21:15 local (Jul 26, 1982, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Niles, MI
- Coordinates: 41.829639, -86.239173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8296&lon=-86.2392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA273

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS ON HIS SECOND SOLO FLIGHT IN EVENING HOURS. REPORTEDLY, AFTER HE HAD COMPLETED 4 LANDINGS, DUSK WAS APPROACHING AND THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD HIM TO MAKE ONLY 2 MORE LANDINGS. WHEN THE STUDENT WAS ABOUT READY TO TAKEOFF ON HIS 6TH PATTERN, A KING AIR CALLED ON A STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH. BY THE TIME THE KING AIR LANDED AND THE STUDENT TOOK OFF, IT WAS DUSK AND DARKNESS WAS APPROACHING. DURING THE LAST LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED, AND ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, IT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, WENT INTO THE GRASS, THEN NOSED OVER. THE INSTRUCTOR, WHO WAS MONITORING THE FLIGHT, BELIEVED THAT THE APPROACHING DARKNESS CONTRIBUTED TO THE MISHAP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2902N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2902N-2023-04-12), registration cancelled 2023-04-12, S/N 13163, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3168
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Scott Riggenbach
- Registered owner: Scott Riggenbach
- Departed: 3TR, NILES, MI
- Destination: 3TR, NILES, MI
- Airport: 3TR, Jerry Tyler Memorial, runway 21, 3,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 26 total, 26 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 174 °F

## 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 19820725031469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820725031469A), Jul 25, 1982: Cessna 120, Niles, MI, Substantial damage. Solo student bounced lost control flipped over on night landing. Instructor negligent on soloing student at dark.

## Other investigations on N2902N (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 CEN22LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA358), Jul 30, 2022: Cessna 120 (N2902N), Mecosta, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to depart on inadequate runway surface conditions that resulted in a loss of control after attempting to abort the takeoff, a runway excursion, and a nose over.

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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