# NTSB CHI88LA118: Cessna 172M, N20389, Plainwell, MI, May 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1988, 22:00 local (May 27, 1988, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Plainwell, MI
- Coordinates: 42.439666, -85.639122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4397&lon=-85.6391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA118

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHT OF UNKNOWN DURATION, BY PERSON(S) UNKNOWN, AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED BY A WITNESS TO 'WOBBLE' AS IT APPROACHED THE RUNWAY.  THE WITNESS THEN SAW THE AIRCRAFT 'CRASH' INTO THE GRASS AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT/OCCUPANT(S) OF THE AIRCRAFT HAD ABANDONED IT BY THE TIME POLICE AND THE WITNESS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.  POLICE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES. INJURY INDEX PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20389](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20389), registered now, S/N 17261249, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- 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: 17261258
- Airframe hours: 3527
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mason, Bruce L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1987, 25 hours before
- Departed: 61D
- Airport: 61D, Ostego-Plainwell Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 15 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 19880526016369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880526016369A), May 26, 1988: Cessna 172M, Plainwell, MI, Substantial damage. Found crashed abandoned aircraft near runway. Owner claims aircraft stolen. Investigation continues.

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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