# NTSB CHI85FA014: Cessna 172N, N734ML, Hoopeston, IL, October 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1984, 19:59 local (Oct 13, 1984, 00:59 UTC)
- Place: Hoopeston, IL
- Coordinates: 40.459259, -87.669296 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4593&lon=-87.6693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA014

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - selected, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED SHORT OF DESTINATION & REPORTED TO FSS THAT HE DID SO BECAUSE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA. AFTER RECEIVING A WX BRIEFING THE NON-INST PLT CANCELLED HIS VFR FLT PLAN. ONE HOUR LATER THE PLT CALLED FSS & WAS RE-BRIEFED ON THE WX. THE WX AT HIS DESTINATION, 55 MI TO THE EAST, WAS VFR. THE PLT RE-FILED HIS FLT PLAN & DEPARTED INTO DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. THE ACFT CRASHED 17.5 MI EAST OF HIS DEPARTURE POINT. LOCAL RESIDENTS REPORTED HEAVY RAIN IN THE AREA. THE 52 HR TOTAL TIME PLT CRASHED IN A DESCENDING RT TURN IN AN OPEN FIELD. THIS WAS THE PLT'S FIRST SOLO FLT IN THIS MAKE/MODEL ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734ML](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734ML-1985-09-26), registration cancelled 1985-09-26, S/N 17268960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268960
- Airframe hours: 1780
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Emporia Aviation
- Registered owner: R.J. Ascherl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 11, 1984, 6 hours before
- Departed: 1C1, PAXTON, IL
- Destination: LAF, LAFAYETTE, IN
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 52 total, 1 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DNV, 32 nm away

## 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 19841012059029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841012059029A), Oct 12, 1984: Cessna 172N, Hoopeston, IL, Destroyed. Aircraft impacted cornfield after encountering heavy rain. Dark night and lack of ground references a factor.

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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