# NTSB CHI85FA316: Cessna 172G, N4202L, Plain City, OH, July 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1985, 20:30 local (Jul 29, 1985, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Plain City, OH
- Coordinates: 40.099849, -83.27098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0998&lon=-83.2710&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): 12858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA316
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA316

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM HIS PVT STRIP FOR THE FOURTH FLT OF THE DAY WHEN WITNESSES HEARD THE ENG QUIT. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN 3.4 HRS SINCE THE LAST REFUELING. THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED ON A MIXTURE OF AVGAS AND AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WITH NO STC. THE ACFT WAS TURNING BACK TOWARD THE STRIP WHEN IT STALLED AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF PWR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4202L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4202L-1987-01-30), registration cancelled 1987-01-30, S/N 17254271 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254271
- Airframe hours: 2123
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: E. E. Troyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1984, 50 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 896 total, 879 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMH, 15 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 19850728034129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850728034129A), Jul 28, 1985: Cessna 172G, Plain City, OH, Destroyed. Engine quit after takeoff. Aircraft stalled and struck trees and ground. Auto and aviation fuel exhausted. No STC.

## Other investigations on N4202L (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI78FEK10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEK10), Mar 7, 1978: Cessna 172G (N4202L), Plain City, OH, substantial damage

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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