# NTSB CHI88FA160: Cessna 172N, N6187D, Middletown, IN, July 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1988, 23:32 local (Jul 7, 1988, 04:32 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, IN
- Location: 40.0594° N, 85.5428° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Middletown, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0594&lon=-85.5428&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13951/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA160

## Probable cause

ATTEMPTED OPERATION OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE BY THE PIC WHEN HE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - light condition - dark night
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - other psychological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A FLT AT NIGHT, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN, WHILE IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT AT HIGH SPEED. VMC PREVAILED THRU-OUT THE AREA, THE SKY WAS CLEAR, & THE PLT WAS INSTRUMENT RATED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL DEFECTS WITH EITHER THE ACFT OR THE ENG; HOWEVER, THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. WHEN NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT'S WIFE STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN DEPRESSED. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK OF THE PLT'S LIVER TISSUE SHOWED THE PRESENCE OF ETHANOL WITH A CONCENTRATION OF 0.114%; HOWEVER, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT PART OF THE ETHANOL MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED POST MORTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6187D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6187D-1989-03-02), registration cancelled 1989-03-02, S/N 17272621 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272621
- Airframe hours: 693
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AO 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles B. Holdon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 1988
- Departed: AID, ANDERSON, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 990 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 37 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 19880706025669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880706025669A), Jul 6, 1988: Cessna 172N, Middletown, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft impacted vertically in a cornfield.

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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