# NTSB CHI87LA157: Cessna 172P, N52362, Ft. Wayne, IN, June 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1987, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Wayne, IN
- Coordinates: 41.070434, -85.170211 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0704&lon=-85.1702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA157

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - fuel system,carburetor - separation
- Fire, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR FAILED IN FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND PORPOISED. THE NOSE WHEEL BROKE OFF AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED DOWN THE RUNWAY GRINDING OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE CARBURETOR. A FIRE BROKE OUT DESTROYING THE AIRCRAFT. WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE APPEARED FAST ON LANDING AND THAT THE FLAPS WERE NOT DOWN. THE CAUSE OF THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE TO THE COCKPIT AND PITOT TUBE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52362](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52362-1988-03-30), registration cancelled 1988-03-30, S/N 17274501 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bowman Aviation
- Registered owner: Edward Nix
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 1987
- Departed: RID, RICHMOND, IN
- Airport: runway 23, 3,110 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 77 total, 7 in this make and model, 76 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 10 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 19870624026399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870624026399A), Jun 24, 1987: Cessna 172P, Fort Wayne, IN, Destroyed. Landed hard from a fast approach and collapsed nose gear. A friction fire ensued. Pilot blamed airspeed indicator.

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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