# NTSB CHI85FEV03: Cessna 172, N6236E, Sweetwater, IL, September 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1985, 09:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Sweetwater, IL
- Location: 40.0539° N, 89.6940° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sweetwater, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0539&lon=-89.6940&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): 12897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FEV03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEV03

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(other organic problem), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALT PARALLEL TO A HIWAY BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A TREE BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND. THE PLTS WIFE SAID THAT THE PLT HAD BEEN UNDER EXTREME STRESS FOR A FEW MONTHS AND HAD NOT BEEN TO BED FOR 2 DAYS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. SHE ALSO SAID THAT HE MAY HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP BEFORE THE CRASH AS HE WAS KNOWN TO FALL ASLEEP SUDDENLY WHEN HE HAD BEEN WITHOUT SLEEP FOR SEVERAL DAYS. NO ACFT MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND. TOXICOLOGY REPORTS ON THE PLT INDICATED THAT EVIDENCE OF COCAINE WAS FOUND IN THE URINE AND VALIUM WAS FOUND IN THE BLOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6236E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6236E-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 46336, built 1958 (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: 46336
- Airframe hours: 2090
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nancy L. Brooks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1985
- Departed: SPI, SPRINGFIELD, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 67 total, 67 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850908043519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850908043519A), Sep 8, 1985: Cessna 172, Sweetwater, IL, Destroyed. Struck trees,then ground after flying low over highway. Had been under stress and had not been to bed for 2 days.

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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