# NTSB CHI85LA164: Cessna 172P, N55211, Phillipsburg, OH, April 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1985, 20:13 local (Apr 13, 1985, 01:13 UTC)
- Place: Phillipsburg, OH
- Location: 39.9040° N, 84.4010° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Phillipsburg, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9040&lon=-84.4010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13043
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13043/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT VFR APPROACH TO A STRANGE AIRPORT THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES LOCATED ONE-HALF MILE FROM THE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE OF THE WIRES & WAS NOT AWARE THAT HER ACFT HAD COLLIDED WITH THEM UNTIL HER FORWARD PROGRESS WAS HALTED AND HER ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND. WHEN SHE EXITED THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHE WAW THE WIRES WRAPPED AROUND THE NOSE GEAR AND REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THE POWER LINE, WHICH IS 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, IS NOT MARKED WITH OBSTRUCTION LIGHTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55211](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55211), registered now, S/N 17275135, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- 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: 17275135
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence E. Hicks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DEC, DECATUR, IL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 317, Phillipsburg, runway 21, 2,750 × 34 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 473 total, 50 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 317, 1 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 19850412014459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850412014459A), Apr 12, 1985: Cessna 172P, Phillipsburg, OH, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines 30 feet AGL on final. Aircraft impacted ground inverted one half mile from runway.

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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