# NTSB CHI92LA065: Cessna 172, N3281L, Greencastle, IN, December 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1991, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Greencastle, IN
- Location: 39.6418° N, 86.8463° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greencastle, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6418&lon=-86.8463&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA065

## Probable cause

THE WORN CENTERING LOCKING LUG ON THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - worn (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT SAID THAT WHILE PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS, THE AIRPLANE SWERVED ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT AT THE INSTANT IT TOUCHED DOWN.  IT THEN SWERVED OFF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER.  POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A WORN CENTERING LOCKING LUG WHICH ALLOWED THE NOSE WHEEL TO BE COCKED ON TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3281L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3281L), registered now, S/N 17256181, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256181
- Airframe hours: 3718
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: George W. Sanders, doing business as Putnam Country Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 2, 1991, 86 hours before
- Airport: 417, Putnam, runway 18, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Observed at: HUF, 25 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 19911231057989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911231057989A), Dec 31, 1991: Cessna 172H, Greencastle, IN, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on landing. Worn nose gear centering locking lug allowed wheel to cant 20 degrees left.

## Other investigations on N3281L (2)

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 NYC68F0340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68F0340), Jan 13, 1968: Cessna 172H (N3281L), Deer Park, NY, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC68D0204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68D0204), Sep 20, 1967: Cessna 172H (N3281L), Mays Landing, NJ, 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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