# NTSB CHI94LA321: Cessna 152, N89897, Decatur, IN, September 14, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1994, 16:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, IN
- Coordinates: 40.830017, -84.919532 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8300&lon=-84.9195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA321
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA321

## Probable cause

the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a proper altitude and his inadequate visual outlook.  A factor was the tower.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tower (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PHOTOGRAPHING REAL ESTATE.  THE PILOT STATED THAT FROM CHARTS HE WAS AWARE THAT THERE WAS A TOWER IN THE VICINITY; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH IT.  HE SAID THAT WHILE HEADING SOUTHBOUND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TOWER.  THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO FLY TO AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING AT INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

## Factual narrative

On September 14, 1994, at 1625 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N89897, registered to Hoosier Air Photos, Inc., of Indianapolis, and operated by a commercial pilot, collided with a stationary tower near Decatur, Indiana.  The airplane landed at Indianapolis, Indiana, with substantial damage.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The business 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Portland, Indiana, at 1450 with the intended destination of Greenwood, Indiana.

The flight was for the purpose of photographing real estate.  The pilot stated that he was aware of the tower from charts, but never actually saw it.  While flying southbound the airplane impacted the tower.  The pilot indicated that the airplane performance was not adversely affected by the impact and he elected to return to the Indianapolis area where he landed without further incident at 1805.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89897](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89897-2011-09-01), registration cancelled 2011-09-01, S/N 15282908, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282908
- Airframe hours: 9192
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hoosier Air Photo, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1994, 512 hours before
- Departed: PLD, PORTLAND, IN
- Destination: HFY, GREENWOOD, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,166 total, 615 in this make and model, 1,076 as pilot in command, 374 in the last 90 days, 129 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 95 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 19940914034019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940914034019A), Sep 14, 1994: Cessna 152, Decatur, IN, Substantial damage. While photographing real estate collided with a stationary tower. Remained airborne and returned to base.

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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