# NTSB CHI85LA116: Cessna 172, N6450K, Pontiac, MI, February 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1985, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Coordinates: 42.769157, -82.529899 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7692&lon=-82.5299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13009
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13009/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA116

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER AFTER A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL PORTION OF A TOUCH & GO LNDG. THE LOW FLT TIME STUDENT PLT WAS PRACTICING ENDINGS SOLO WHEN CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT LEFT THE RWY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS RESETTING THE CARB HEAT & FLAPS DURING THE LNDG ROLL JIST PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL. THE ACFT NOSED OVER IN SNOW COVERED GRASS. THE PLT WAS LNDG IN A 10 KT X-WIND FROM THE LEFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6450K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6450K), registered now, S/N 17274197, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274197
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kamtech, Inc.
- Airport: PTK, Oakland-Pontiac, runway 27, 3,250 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 27 total, 6 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK

## 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 19850220003919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850220003919A), Feb 20, 1985: Cessna 172P, Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff portion of touch and go. Ran off runway into snow covered grass and 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.