# NTSB CHI96LA329: Cessna 172, N7016T, Wellston, MI, September 8, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1996, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Wellston, MI
- Coordinates: 44.209659, -85.950866 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2097&lon=-85.9509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA329
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA329

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft.  Factors were the rough road, the tree, and the tire.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - other (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he lost control during landing.  After touch down the aircraft veered left after crossing rough road tracks which crossed the grass strip.  The left wing hit a scrub tree and then the aircraft main gear hit a tire which marked the runway boundary.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest on its top.  The pilot reported that the airplane did not have a control or engine problem.

## Factual narrative

On September 8, 1996, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N7016T, sustained substantial damage during landing roll when the airplane veered off the runway and impacted a tree and nosed over.  The private pilot and the two passengers were not injured.  The 14 CFR 91 flight had departed Battle Creek, Michigan, and had landed at the Orchard Grove airstrip, Wellston, Michigan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that  he lost control during landing.  After touch down the aircraft veered left after crossing rough road tracks which crossed the grass strip.  The left wing hit a scrub tree and then the aircraft main gear hit a tire which marked the runway boundary.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest on its top.

The pilot reported that the airplane did not have a control or engine problem.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7016T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7016T-2018-03-02), registration cancelled 2018-03-02, S/N 46616, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46616
- Engines: Continental O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas M. Wawzysko
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1995, 10 hours before
- Departed: BTL, BATTLE CREEK, MI
- Airport: Orchard Grove, runway 8, 1,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 191 in this make and model, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBL, 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 19960908026339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960908026339A), Sep 8, 1996: Cessna 172, Wellston, MI, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on touch down and flipped over. Failed maintain directional control. (-23) the pilot lost directional control just after touchdown and…

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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