# NTSB CHI88FAMS1: Cessna 172N, N4878G, Warsaw, IN, January 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1988, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Warsaw, IN
- Coordinates: 41.229061, -85.849037 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2291&lon=-85.8490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FAMS1
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FAMS1

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT DEPARTED DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS AND WAS DECLARED MISSING AFTER FAILING TO ARRIVE AT ITS STATED DESTINATION. THE PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT CROSSED A LARGE BODY WATER AND A LOCAL LAKESHORE RESIDENT REPORTED HEARING AN AIRPLANE STRIKE THE WATER. NO WRECKAGE OR DEBRIS HAS BEEN RECOVERED. ACCIDENT LOCATION, TIME AND INJURIES ARE PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4878G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4878G-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 17273425, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273425
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul/Wayne Stropki,G.G. Lucas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: WARSAW, IN
- Destination: MKE, MILWAUKEE, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 180 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported

## 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 19880108065129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880108065129A), Jan 8, 1988: Cessna 172N, Warsaw, IN, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Missing aircraft. A witness heard crash off lake Michigan shore. A passengers body washed ashore eight months later

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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