# NTSB CHI85LA187: Cessna 120, N89599, Strongsville, OH, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Strongsville, OH
- Coordinates: 41.310295, -81.830848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3103&lon=-81.8308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13058
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13058/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA187

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - runway
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APCH THE HEADWIND CHANGED TO A QUARTERING LEFT CROSSWIND. A SUDDEN LOSS OF ALT OCCURRED AND THE ACFT CONTACTED THE DISPLACED THRESHOLD AND WEATHERVANED INTO THE WIND. THE ACFT TRAVELED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY AND NOSED OVER IN AN AREA OF GRASS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89599](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89599-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 8646, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8646
- Airframe hours: 1998
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Madden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1985, 27 hours before
- Airport: IG6, Strongsville, runway 27, 2,865 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 408 total, 86 in this make and model, 366 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 5 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 19850505023829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505023829A), May 5, 1985: Cessna 120, Strongsville, OH, Substantial damage. Landed on threshold and traveled off side of runway. Aircraft nosed over in gusty variable wind conditions.

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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