# NTSB CHI85FA292: Cessna 170A, N1223D, Olney, IL, July 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1985, 07:56 local (12:56 UTC)
- Place: Olney, IL
- Coordinates: 38.729957, -88.080909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7300&lon=-88.0809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA292
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12853/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA292

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - psychological condition, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - emotional reaction, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED NEW BADEN AND BEGAN FLYING ERRATICALLY DOWN AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. IT CAUSED ONE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT BY FLYING LOW HEAD-ON PASSES AT CARS. IT FLEW UNDERAN OVERPASS, DAMAGING A WINGTIP IN THE PROCESS. IT FLEW INTOAN ELECTRICAL CABLE AND DAMAGED THE VERTICAL STABILIZED IN THE PROCESS. THE PILOT BUZZED A TRUCK. MADE TWO SHARP TURNS AT LOW ALTITUDE. DURING THE SECOND TURN THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP 190 FEET LATER. THE PILOT WAS EJECTED FROM THE COCKPIT AND LATERDIED. HIS SEAT BELT WAS NOT FASTENED DURING THE CRASH. AFTERTHE CRASH HIS FAMILY DESCRIBED HIM AS A PARANOID PSYCHOTIC AND HIS FRIENDS STATED THAT HE WAS DEPRESSED. IN A FINAL INTERVIEW BEFORE HE DIED HE REPEATEDLY MENTIONED ANIMOSITY TOWARD GRAVEL TRUCKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1223D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1223D-1986-02-26), registration cancelled 1986-02-26, S/N 20113 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20113
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mertine.Kuykendall, doing business as Cap Aero Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: NEW BADEN, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 436 total, 164 in this make and model, 352 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EVV, 58 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 19850716034659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850716034659A), Jul 16, 1985: Cessna 170A, Olney, IL, Substantial damage. Flew erratically under bridges, through wires, diving on cars and trucks. Wing hit ground. Severe arteriosclerosis.

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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