# NTSB CHI82DA319: Cessna 120, N76778, St. Paul, MN, August 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1982, 17:19 local (22:19 UTC)
- Place: St. Paul, MN
- Coordinates: 44.930561, -93.08023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9306&lon=-93.0802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA319
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA319

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight control,rudder - jammed (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PILOT DID NOT STOW STARTER CRANK PROPERLY. DURING A LANDING THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ALMOST SIDEWAYS, WENT DOWN ON A WINGTIP AND UP ON ITS NOSE. THE STARTER CRANK WAS FOUND JAMMED IN THE RUDDER CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76778](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76778), registered now, S/N 11210 (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: 1121
- Airframe hours: 1822
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward B. Thompson
- Registered owner: Edward B. Thompson
- Departed: C, BLAKESBURG, IA
- Destination: C, ST. PAUL, MN
- Airport: STP, St. Paul Downtown, runway 3, 5,401 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 2,600 total, 335 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 172 °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 19820822040209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820822040209A), Aug 22, 1982: Cessna 120, St Paul, MN, Substantial damage. Lost control on landing. Airplane turned sideways and collapsed left gear rudder jammed by unstowed starter crank.

## Other investigations on N76778 (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 CHI70F0353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70F0353), Nov 23, 1969: Cessna 120 (N76778), Cedar Lake, MI, substantial damage

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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