# NTSB CHI88LA115: Cessna 172, N5848A, North Liberty, IN, May 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1988, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: North Liberty, IN
- Coordinates: 41.529125, -86.430824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5291&lon=-86.4308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14077
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14077/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA115

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE DEPARTING FROM A GRASS STRIP THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A SUFFICIENT RATE OF CLIMB AND AIRSPEED DURING THE CLIMBOUT. IN AN EFFORT TO REGAIN AIRSPEED, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE PUSHED THE NOSE FORWARD AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE FIELD PERPENDICULAR TO THE FURROWS, BREAKING THE NOSEWHEEL OFF AND FLIPPING THE AIRCRAFT OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5848A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5848A-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 28448 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28448
- Airframe hours: 2798
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary C. Peterson
- Registered owner: Peterson, Gary C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1987, 77 hours before
- Destination: 3C1, ELKHART, IN
- Airport: NONE, Private Strip, runway 27, 1,300 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 78 total, 68 in this make and model, 43 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 12 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 19880522019339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880522019339A), May 22, 1988: Cessna 172A, North Liberty, IN, Substantial damage. Made takeoff downwind from short private strip. Pulled up to clear trees and wires. Mushed to ground. Nosed over.

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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