# NTSB CHI83LA025: Cessna 172, N23388, Lansing, IL, October 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1982, 22:15 local (Oct 25, 1982, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Lansing, IL
- Coordinates: 41.559192, -87.539115 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5592&lon=-87.5391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - electrical system,voltage regulator - popped/tripped (cause)
  - electrical system - failure,total (cause)
  - annunciator panel light(s) - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE & THE PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT LANSING. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO LOWER THE FLAP, & AFTER ENCOUNTERING GROUND FOG LANDED LONG, BOUNCED, & GROUND LOOPED TO AVOID RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RWY.INVEST OF THE ELECT SYSTEM REVEALED THAT AN UNIDENTIFIABLE NOISE FILTER HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE LINE OF THE OUTPUT SIDE OF THE ALTERNATOR. TESTING REVEALED THAT THE NOISE FILTER DEVELOPED VOLTAGE SPIKES THAT COULD INCREASE LINE VOLTAGEMOMENTARILY TO 16 VOLTS. THE OVERVOLTAGE SENSOR WAS INOPERATIVE. THE SENSOR WAS PROBABLY TRIPPED BY EXCESSIVE SPIKING ON THE LINE VOLTAGE WHICH WOULD TURN OFF THE ALTERNATOR SYSTEM ILLUMINATING THE OVERVOLTAGE WARNING LIGHT. HOWEVER, THE BULB WAS FOUND BURNED OUT. THIS CONDITION CAN USUALLY BE CORRECTED BY RECYCLING THE MASTER SWITCH TO RESUME NORMAL ALTERNATING CHARGING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23388 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264086
- Airframe hours: 2770
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-F 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Southlake Aviation
- Registered owner: Thomas G. Katsahnias
- Departed: RFD, ROCKFORD, IL
- Destination: 05C, GRIFFITH, IN
- Airport: 3HA, Lansing, runway 27, 2,470 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 73 total, 28 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 147 °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 19821024056489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821024056489A), Oct 24, 1982: Cessna 172M, Lansing, IL, Substantial damage. Electrical system failed and pilot elected to land at nearest airport. Hard landing occurred due to visibility.

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.