# NTSB CHI85FET01: Cessna 172 M, N23388, Valparaiso, IN, May 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1985, 11:53 local (16:53 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.470695, -87.049095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4707&lon=-87.0491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FET01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FET01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED THE GRIFFITH ARPT ON A LOCAL FLT & PROCEEDED TO TWO OTHER ARPTS TO PRACTICE LANDINGS. HE FLEW TO THE STARKE COUNTY ARPT & MADE 5 OR 6 LANDINGS, THEN WENT TO THE PORTER COUNTY ARPT. AFTER THE 5TH TOUCH-&-GO, HE PREPARED TO TAKEOFF BY RETRACTING THE FLAPS & INSURING THAT HE HAD MIXTURE RICH, CARB HEAT OFF & THROTTLE FULL FORWARD. HOWEVER, AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT DID NOT SEEMED TO CLIMB NORMALLY. HE RECHECKED ALL CONTROLS & EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE IN THE NORMAL POSITION, BUT THE ACFT WAS NOT CLIMBING. BEFORE HE INITIATED AN EMERG LANDING, THE RGT WING STRUCK THE GROUND & THE ACFT CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23388 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264086
- Airframe hours: 30962
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Griffith Aviation,Inc.
- Registered owner: Thomas G. Katshnias
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1984, 886 hours before
- Departed: 05C, GRIFFITH, IN
- Destination: OXI
- Airport: VPZ, Porter County, runway 9, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 226 total, 60 in this make and model, 1,769 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 345 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 19850503016929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850503016929A), May 3, 1985: Cessna 172M, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Pilot lifted nosewheel at 65MPH. Aircraft did not seem to climb and wingtip struck ground cartwheeling the aircraft

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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