# NTSB CHI85LA243: Cessna 172 M, N8954V, Decatur, IN, June 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1985, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, IN
- Coordinates: 40.83036, -84.920837 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8304&lon=-84.9208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13103
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13103/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA243

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,wind direction indicator - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDING RNWY 36 WINDS WERE 210 DEGREES, 12 KNOTS GUSTS 18 KNOTS STALLED OUT HIGH ONTHE WET ON THE WET SOD RUNWAY THE NOSE WHEEL DUG IN AND THEN BROKE OFF THE ACFT THEN NOSED OVER INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8954V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8954V-2005-04-07), registration cancelled 2005-04-07, S/N 17264310, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264310
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Torp Arrow Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1985
- Departed: BMG, BLOOMINGTON, IN
- Destination: DCR, DECATUR, IN
- Airport: DCR, Decatur Hi-Way, runway 36, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 395 total, 12 in this make and model, 338 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 25 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 19850616027959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850616027959A), Jun 16, 1985: Cessna 172M, Decatur, IN, Substantial damage. Landed hard on wet sod runway and nose gear collapsed. Aircraft nosed over after downwind landing.

## Other investigations on N8954V (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL02LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA151), Aug 5, 2002: Cessna 172M (N8954V), Dahlonega, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control resulting in the airplane going off the left side of the runway and colliding with a ditch.

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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