# NTSB CHI89DEX02: Cessna 172, N5728A, Greencastle, IN, December 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1988, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Greencastle, IN
- Coordinates: 39.639251, -86.839065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6393&lon=-86.8391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEX02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14229/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEX02

## Probable cause

INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A LARGE BIRD.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - bird(s) (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 2,000 FEET AGL WHEN A LARGE BIRD, PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN A GOOSE, APPEARED FROM ABOVE THE ACFT AND STRUCK THE RIGHT WING IN THE WING ROOT AREA. NO EVASIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN DUE TO THE SPONTANEITY OF THE EVENT. THE ACFT WAS LANDED WITHOUT PROBLEMS. DAMAGE TO WING LEADING EDGE AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURE WAS SUBSTANTIAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5728A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5728A), registered now, S/N 28328, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28328
- Airframe hours: 2577
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John M Sloan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1988, 72 hours before
- Departed: I14, PATOKA, IN
- Destination: IN30, INDIANAPOLIS, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 135 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F

## 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 19881203054119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881203054119A), Dec 3, 1988: Cessna 172, Greencastle, IN, Substantial damage. Impact by a large bird, damaged the right wing while cruising at 2000 feet.

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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