# NTSB CHI85FA054: Cessna 172P, N53134, Waukegan, IL, November 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1984, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Waukegan, IL
- Coordinates: 42.370491, -87.859107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3705&lon=-87.8591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,anti-ice additive - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, company/operator management (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF POWER DURING TAKEOFF. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT TWO DAYS PREVIOUSLY A LOSS OF POWER HAD OCCURED DURING A TEST FLT WHICH WAS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO THE POWER LOSS EXPERIENCED DURING THIS ACCIDENT ONLY THE PLT HAD SUFFICIENT ALT TO EXECUTE A 180 DEG TURN AND LAND BACK ON THE RWY. AFTER THIS FLT HEET (DRY ICE) WAS ADDED TO EACH FUEL TANK. ANALYSIS OF THE LIQUID DRAINED FROM THE ACFT FOLLOWING THE ACC REVEALED A MIXTURE OF WATER AND METHANOL. METHANOL IS THE MAIN INGREDIENT OF HEET. THE ACFT ENG & CARB WERE TESTED & OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53134](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53134), registered now, S/N 17274691, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274691
- Airframe hours: 1993
- Engines: LYCOMING 3-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Stick & Rudder Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 1984, 156 hours before
- Departed: UGN, WAUKEGAN, IL
- Airport: UGN, Waukegan Memorial, runway 23, 4,600 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,996 total, 900 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NBU, 20 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 19841123063219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841123063219A), Nov 23, 1984: Cessna 172P, Waukegan, IL, Substantial damage. Landed in rough grass area after engine lost power. Water and unapproved methanol in fuel tanks.

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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