CHI95LA268

Witnesses reported observing the aircraft's wings banking left and right on final approach. Near midfield the aircraft veered off the runway to the left in a left wing low, nose down attitude and nosed over. The aircraft came to rest inverted, headed east, approximately 2850 feet west of the runway threshold and 75 feet left (south) of the runway centerline. The pilot was ejected through the windshield of the aircraft and rescue personnel found him pinned under the right wing of the aircraft in proximity of the right wing fuel tank. Investigators reported that the pilot's seatbelt and shoulder belt showed no signs of damage and latched and released properly. The pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.08% when admitted to the hospital 1 hour after the accident.

On August 13, 1995, at 1050 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 172, N162BA, was substantially damaged while landing on runway 27 at De Kalb County Airport at Auburn, Indiana. The aircraft veered off the runway and nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was registered to Bowman Aviation, Fort Wayne, Indiana and had been rented by the private pilot for a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was seriously injured and the three passengers reported minor injuries. The flight departed from De Kalb County Airport at 1000 cdt.

Witnesses reported observing the aircraft's wings banking left and right on final approach. Near midfield the aircraft veered off the runway to the left in a left wing low, nose down attitude and nosed over.

Investigators from the FAA Flight Standards District Office in South Bend, Indiana reported that the aircraft came to rest inverted, headed east, approximately 2850 feet west of the runway threshold and 75 feet left (south) of the runway centerline. The pilot had been ejected through the windshield of the aircraft and rescue personnel had found him pinned under the right wing of the aircraft in proximity of the right wing fuel tank. The FAA investigators reported there were impact marks in the dirt on the south side of the runway along the path the aircraft had travelled. Seventy (70) feet east of the aircraft was the initial contact of the nosewheel followed 10 feet later (60 feet east) by marks from the nosewheel fork assembly and left wingtip. Between 18 feet and 50 feet east of the aircraft were a series of propeller slashes in the dirt and 7 feet east were marks from the propeller and spinner. The pilot's seatbelt and shoulder belt showed no signs of damage and latched and released properly. The throttle was full forward (maximum power) and the carburetor heat control was pulled out (full on).

Investigators from the Indiana State Police reported that the pilot's blood alcohol level was 0.08 percent when admitted to the hospital. In the hospital the pilot told police investigators that he thought he had the seatbelt on for landing but didn't know if it was latched properly or had come unfastened. A witness, who was a passenger in the aircraft, told police investigators that he observed that the pilot had his shoulder belt on until they were airborne and then took it off while they were flying and did not put it back on for landing.

In his report to the NTSB (form 6120.1/2) the pilot reported that the flight was normal including the landing approach but that during the landing flare "a sudden, strong gust of crosswind" blew the aircraft toward the runway edge. The pilot reported "I didn't feel in control" and initiated a go around. He applied full throttle but the aircraft "felt sluggish" and drifted north of the runway toward hangars and offices. The pilot corrected back toward the runway but "I stalled and nosed into the ground".

At 1050 cdt, surface wind at Fort Wayne, 21 miles south of the accident site were reported from 240 degrees at 10 knots.