# NTSB CHI91LA129: Cessna 172G, N1375F, Griffith, IN, April 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1991, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Griffith, IN
- Coordinates: 41.520294, -87.419784 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5203&lon=-87.4198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA129

## Probable cause

CONTAMINATED FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR, AND INADEQUATE INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF.  POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR WAS SUFFICIENTLY CONTAMINATED WITH PARTICULATES TO PRECLUDE NORMAL OPERATION. THE AIRPLANE'S LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED BY THE PILOT,WHO IS ALSO A LICENSED AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, 15 SERVICE HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1375F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1375F-1991-08-26), registration cancelled 1991-08-26, S/N 17254870 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 54870
- Airframe hours: 1458
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard T. Binstock
- Registered owner: Howard T. Binstock
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1990, 15 hours before
- Destination: VP1, VALPARAIZO, IN
- Airport: 05C, Griffith, runway 8, 4,013 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 945 total, 380 in this make and model, 945 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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