# NTSB CHI89LA185: Cessna C172R, N23666, Frankenmuth, MI, September 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1989, 11:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Frankenmuth, MI
- Coordinates: 43.329841, -83.739906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3298&lon=-83.7399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA185

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING TAKEOFF AS A RESULT OF A DIVERSION OF ATTENTION DUE TO A POSSIBLE ENGINE PROBLEM.

## 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
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PILOT ATTEMPTED A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF AND BECAME AIRBORNE AT APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, PASSENGER SAID THAT ENGINE DIDN'T SOUND RIGHT. AS THE PILOT WAS SCANNING THE ENGINE INSTRUMENTS, AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO ROLL TO THE LEFT. PILOT LOWERED NOSE TO GAIN AIRSPEED AND LEFT WING STRUCK GROUND. ENGINE WAS EXAMINED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23666](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23666-2001-04-13), registration cancelled 2001-04-13, S/N R172-0201 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C172R
- Registry model: [Cessna R172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172e) (registry code 2072413) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R172-0201
- Airframe hours: 4813
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1989, 99 hours before
- Destination: YIP, DETROIT, MI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 66G, Frankenmuth, runway 27, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,132 total, 195 in this make and model, 2,747 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 10 nm away

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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