# NTSB CHI88LA227: Cessna 172G, N6049R, Sparta, MI, August 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1988, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, MI
- Coordinates: 43.150333, -85.700393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1503&lon=-85.7004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA227

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - abort - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING A TAKEOFF ATTEMPT FROM HIS PRIVATE STRIP THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THERE WAS A SLIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND FOR THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. DUE TO THE 'DENSE', DAMP GRASS, WHICH WAS ABOUT 4 INCHES TALL ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS WAS INSUFFICIENT AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL AND STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND CONTINUED THROUGH A SLIGHT BANK, WHERE THE NOSEWHEEL COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6049R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6049R), registered now, S/N 17253718, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-53718
- Airframe hours: 1573
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Shepard, Richard D.
- Registered owner: Shepard, Richard D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1988, 6 hours before
- Departed: NONE, SPARTA, MI
- Airport: NONE, Farm Strip, runway 9, 2,350 × 95 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 179 total, 135 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 17 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 19880830036289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880830036289A), Aug 30, 1988: Cessna 172G, Sparta, MI, Substantial damage. Airspeed too slow on takeoff roll on a wet grass field. Aborted too late ran off strip and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N6049R (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI81FEG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEG02), Nov 30, 1980: Cessna 172 (N6049R), Springfield, OH, substantial damage

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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