# NTSB CHI97LA138: Cessna 172, N8811Z, Flushing, MI, May 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 1997, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Flushing, MI - Coordinates: 43.059249, -83.840293 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0592&lon=-83.8403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10570 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10570/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA138 ## Probable cause was the pilot not maintaining sufficient altitude to clear obstructions. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot was inattentive to the airplane's altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, descent - object - tree(s) - descent - encountered, pilot in command - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Witnesses observed the airplane flying on an easterly heading when it began a turn to the north. As the airplane was turning, it lost altitude and collided with trees, small vegetation, and the ground. The pilot told the State Police he did not think that his altitude was low enough to strike the trees. The on-scene investigation revealed no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would prevent flight. The pilot did not respond to calls or requests for submission of an accident report from the IIC. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 1997, at 1710 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cessna 172, N8811Z, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed during a collision with trees, small vegetation, and terrain, while on a landing approach to runway 27 (1,850' X 150' dry sod) at the Flushing-Daltons Airport, Flushing, Michigan. The flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Flint, Michigan, at 1645 edt. Witnesses said they saw the airplane flying on an easterly heading when it began a turn to the north. They said the airplane lost altitude during its turn to the north. According to the State of Michigan airplane accident report, the pilot said he "...did not see the tree line and struck the trees... ." The report continues, "[The pilot] did not think his altitude was too low... ." The on-scene investigation revealed no mechanical anomalies with the airplane's engine, airframe, or flight control system that would prevent flight. The pilot reportedly confirmed this according to the Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector's report. The pilot was sent two NTSB 6120.1/2, Pilot Operator Accident Report Form, and has not returned either one. He has not responded to telephone calls from the NTSB investigator-in-charge to discuss the events surrounding the accident. Information received from the pilot's airplane insurance company showed he had a total time of 774.5 hours on July 31, 1996. The insurance company broker said the pilot had 695 hours in Cessna 172 airplanes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8811Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8811Z-1999-05-15), registration cancelled 1999-05-15, S/N 17255461 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255461 - Airframe hours: 1100 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald M. Snyder - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1997, 1 hours before - Departed: FNT, FLINT, MI - Destination: 3DA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 775 total, 695 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 12 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FNT, 10 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 19970520046099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970520046099A), May 20, 1997: Cessna 172H, Flushing, MI, No damage. (-23) Mr. Snyder departed fnt with a destination of 3DA. Pilot was attempting to land at 3DA, after circling for traffic, and struck a tree. 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.