# NTSB CHI96LA103: Cessna 172, N21662, Valparaiso, IN, March 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 1996, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Valparaiso, IN - Coordinates: 41.470005, -87.050262 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4700&lon=-87.0503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10205 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10205/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA103 ## Probable cause the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather. Factors were the low ceilings, icing conditions, airframe ice, and the muddy field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - airframe - ice (contributing factor) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - landing gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot received a preflight weather briefing that included marginal VFR conditions and reported icing in clouds near his route of flight. He experienced precipitation and airframe icing during cruise. He pulled the carburetor heat control to the on position, and descended to about 500 feet AGL to maintain visual contact with the ground. About 1/8 inch of ice had formed on the airplane, and he reversed course attempting to locate an airport. The flight controls felt 'sluggish.' He selected a field, configured the airplane, and made a precautionary landing. During the landing, the nose gear sank into the muddy field, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 1996, about 1600 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N21662, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing in Valparaiso, Indiana. The private pilot reported no injuries. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91, flight departed Chicago, Illinois, about 1530 with a planned destination of Hamilton, Ohio. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received a preflight weather briefing from a Federal Aviation Administration Flight Service Station. According to the pilot, the briefer reported ceilings from 700 to 2,000 feet, visibilities of one to seven miles with rain and fog, and reported icing in clouds near his planned route of flight. The pilot reported that he experienced precipitation and airframe icing during cruise. He pulled the carburetor heat control to the on position. He descended to an altitude of about 500 feet AGL to maintain visual contact with the ground. He said about 1/8 inch of ice had formed on the airplane and he reversed course attempting to locate an airport to land. The flight controls felt "sluggish." He pushed the throttle to full power and was able to maintain a maximum airspeed of 60 knots. He reported the engine was operating "normally." He selected a field, configured the airplane, and made an emergency landing. During the landing, the nose gear sank into the muddy field, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the wreckage revealed the nose gear strut was fractured at the firewall mount and the yolk. The upper leading edge of both wings was crushed and the top of the vertical stabilizer and rudder was crushed in the downward direction. Examination of flight control continuity revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The engine controls functioned normally. The engine rotated freely and the propeller exhibited minor bending at the tips. One blade was bent forward and the other blade was bent aft. Usable fuel remained in both fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21662](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21662-1998-03-26), registration cancelled 1998-03-26, S/N 17263984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263984 - Airframe hours: 8700 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kevin Henderson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1995, 25 hours before - Departed: CGX, CHICAGO, IL - Destination: HAO, HAMILTON, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 194 total, 193 in this make and model, 143 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 12 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GYY, 20 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 19960305003529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960305003529A), Mar 5, 1996: Cessna 172M, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. E parted VFR into low ceiling fog and icing. Airframe iced up. Nosed over on high speed landing in muddy field. (-23) on March 5, 1996, about 1600 central… ## Other investigations on N21662 (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 NYC91LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA169), Jul 5, 1991: Cessna 172 (N21662), Millville, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AFTER BECOMING LOST, RESULTING IN ENGINE FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC… - [NTSB MKC83LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA223), Sep 27, 1983: Cessna 172 (N21662), Kansas City, MO, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.