# NTSB CHI85FA356: Cessna 172, N5146A, Rose Township, MI, August 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1985, 17:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Rose Township, MI
- Coordinates: 42.790813, -83.61901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7908&lon=-83.6190&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): 12864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA356
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA356

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING AT A VERY LOW ALT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE HOME OF THE PLT'S BROTHER. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFTS ENG WAS OPERATING NORMALLY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT'S HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK THE TOP BRANCHES OF A TREE (APRX 60 FT TALL), THEN THE PLANE DID A WING-OVER & CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. TOXICOLOGY TESTS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & URINE SHOWED ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.068% & 0.062%, RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5146A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5146A-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 28146, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28146
- Airframe hours: 2489
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: W. F. Farren G. G. Valliancour
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1985, 28 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 177 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 10 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 19850819063009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850819063009A), Aug 19, 1985: Cessna 172, Rose Township, MI, Destroyed. Struck trees and ground near brothers house. Reported low maneuvering. Pilot had consumed alcohol.

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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