# NTSB CHI83LA369: Cessna C-172, N12640, Lowell, OH, August 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1983, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Lowell, OH
- Coordinates: 39.519641, -81.499824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5196&lon=-81.4998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA369
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12300/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA369

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - climb - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING AN ATTEMPTED SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF. WHILE INITIATING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF, THE ACFT BECOME AIRBORNE PREMATURELY, VEERED TO THE LEFT, STRUCK CORN STALKS IN A FIELD ALONG SIDE THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED NOSE FIRST INTO THE GROUND, THEN CARTWHEELED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12640](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12640-2002-12-20), registration cancelled 2002-12-20, S/N 17262135, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262135
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger A. Wolfe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PKB, PARKERSBURG, WV
- Airport: 0127, Checkpoint Charlie

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 168 total, 136 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19830808043709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830808043709A), Aug 8, 1983: Cessna 172, Lowell, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot initiated premature lift off during short field takeoff and aircraft veerd left hitting vegetation.

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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