# NTSB CHI85LA023: Cessna 172K, N46407, Berlin, WI, October 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1984, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, WI
- Coordinates: 43.969551, -88.949531 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9696&lon=-88.9495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - crosswind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A GRASS STRIP THAT IS PRIENTED NORTH AND SOUTH. HE DESCRIBED THE GRASS AS BEING 'TOO LONG' AND THE WIND WAS FROM THE WEST. THE PLT OVER ROTATED THE ACFT TO RAISE THE NOSE WHEEL CLEAR OF THE GRASS AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED, THE PLT APPLIED EXCESSIVE BRAKING AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL RAN INTO SOFT TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46407](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46407), registered now, S/N 17257246 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1725746
- Airframe hours: 909
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2O 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leach Food Products
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1983
- Departed: BERLIN, WI
- Airport: Private, runway 36, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 872 total, 872 in this make and model, 785 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 32 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 19841021057439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841021057439A), Oct 21, 1984: Cessna 172K, Berlin, WI, Substantial damage. High grass and crosswind impeded takeoff. Aborted, swerved toward runway edge, braked too hard, nosed over.

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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