# NTSB CHI83LA057: Colonial C-1, N256B, Kalamazoo, MI, December 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1982, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Kalamazoo, MI
- Location: 42.2752° N, 85.5885° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kalamazoo, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2752&lon=-85.5885&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA057

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - lubricating system - pressure too low (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - failure,total

## Analysis

PILOT LOST OIL PRESSURE AND ELECTED TO LAND IN A PLOWED FIELD. NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING LANDING. OIL LEAK WAS THE CAUSE OF THE DROP IN QUANTITY AND PRESSURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N256B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N256B), registered now, S/N 16, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COLONIAL C-1
- Registry model: [Colonial C-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/colonial-c-1) (registry code 5110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16
- Airframe hours: 1416
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William J. Gras
- Registered owner: William J. Gras
- Departed: SOUTH BEND, IN
- Destination: GRAND HAVEN, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 240 total, 1 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19821211063629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821211063629A), Dec 11, 1982: Conaer C1, Kalamazoo, MI, Substantial damage. Low oil pressure en route. Made precautionary landing in a rough cornfield. An oil leak had reduced the oil supply.

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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