# NTSB CHI89LA187: Cessna 120, N1844N, Shelbyville, IN, September 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1989, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Shelbyville, IN
- Location: 39.4778° N, 85.8833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SKEETER LANDING (II97), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4778&lon=-85.8833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA187

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1844N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1844N), registered now, S/N 12088, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12088
- Airframe hours: 3057
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William R. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1988, 62 hours before
- Departed: 35M, SHELBYVILLE, IN
- Destination: II97, SHELBYVILLE, IN
- Airport: II97, Solenberg, runway 35, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 934 total, 72 in this make and model, 830 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 35 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 19890916035349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890916035349A), Sep 16, 1989: Cessna 120, Shelbyville, IN, Substantial damage. Failed to keep aircraft in center of runway. Wing tip hit tall corn on edge of runway pivoting it into the corn.

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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