# NTSB CHI96LA234: Cessna 172L, N7545G, Vicksburg, MI, July 11, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 1996, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Vicksburg, MI - Coordinates: 42.119361, -85.52983 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1194&lon=-85.5298&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10305/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA234 ## Probable cause the pilot's premature raising of the flaps during a go-around. The presence of birds was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - object - bird(s) (contributing factor) - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot reported that, prior to landing, he over flew the runway to check for deer, geese, and sand hill cranes which are 'common around this airport.' During landing, he touched down at approximately 40 miles per hour. As the nose gear touched the runway he saw four sand hill cranes 20 to 30 feet in front of him. He applied full power and pulled back on the yolk. The airplane was 'mushing, nose up, in the air. The pilot was 'retracting the flaps and pushing forward on the yolk to get the nose down.' The airplane impacted the terrain left of the runway on the left main landing gear, then the right main, then the nose gear. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over sustaining substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 1996, at 1040 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N7545G, sustained substantial damage when it descended and impacted terrain during an attempted go around at a private airstrip in Vicksburg, Michigan. The private pilot and three passengers reported no injuries. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Jackson, Michigan about 1000 with a planned destination of Vicksburg, Michigan. The pilot reported that, prior to landing, he over flew the runway to check for deer, geese, and sand hill cranes which are "common around this airport." During landing, he touched down at approximately 40 miles per hour. As the nose gear touched the runway he saw four sand hill cranes 20 to 30 feet in front of him. He applied full power and pulled back on the yolk. The airplane was "mushing, nose up, in the air. The pilot was "retracting the flaps and pushing forward on the yolk to get the nose down." The airplane impacted the terrain left of the runway on the left main landing gear, then the right main, then the nose gear. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over sustaining substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7545G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7545G-2019-08-07), registration cancelled 2019-08-07, S/N 17259245, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17259245 - Airframe hours: 6310 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Victor C. Schroeder - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1996, 9 hours before - Departed: JXN, JACKSON, MI - Airport: Thrall Lake, runway 31, 1,700 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,526 total, 255 in this make and model, 1,505 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19960711016679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960711016679A), Jul 11, 1996: Cessna 172L, Vicksburg, MI, Substantial damage. Narrative: just on touchdown a flock of large birds ran into runway in front of aircraft. Pilot attempted to avoid birds which he did but aircraft went off… 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.