# NTSB CHI91FA011: Cessna 172P, N5499K, Fort Wayne, IN, October 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1990, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Wayne, IN
- Coordinates: 41.149768, -85.129379 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1498&lon=-85.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA011

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALLING SPEED. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE PREMATURE ROTATION AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED CLIMBING IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE BEFORE PITCHING OVER AND DESCENDING, LEFT WING LOW, INTO THE GROUND DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. RECORDS SHOW THE PILOT'S TOTAL AVIATION EXPERINCE TO BE 69 FLIGHT HOURS. HIS FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN THE 90 DAYS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT WAS .3 OF AN HOUR OBTAINED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED IN EITHER THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT. EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT THE TAIL TIE DOWN RING DRAGGED AS THE AIRPLANE TRACKED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY BEFORE LIFTING OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5499K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5499K-2013-01-30), registration cancelled 2013-01-30, S/N 17274164, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274164
- Airframe hours: 2816
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bowman Aviation, Inc
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 11, 1990, 73 hours before
- Airport: SMSD, Smith Field, runway 5, 3,110 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 69 total, 3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 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 19901016046289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901016046289A), Oct 16, 1990: Cessna 172P, Fort Wayne, IN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Dragged tail on takeoff hitting runway light. Continued nose high climb until stall.

## Other investigations on N5499K (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 CHI88LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA062), Feb 14, 1988: Cessna 172 (N5499K), Ft. Wayne, IN, 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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