# NTSB CHI97LA181: Cessna 172M, N4491R, Grosse Ile, MI, June 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 1997, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Grosse Ile, MI - Coordinates: 42.130428, -83.149597 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1304&lon=-83.1496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10608/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA181 ## Probable cause the instructor pilot's inadequate planning/decision, resulting in an inadvertent stall situation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis In a statement, the flight instructor (CFI) said he was demonstrating slow flight to the student while flying in ground effect over the runway. He indicated that the flaps were fully extended (40 degrees) and the power was just enough to sustain flying airspeed. At an altitude of approximately 5 feet above ground level (AGL), the left wing dipped. The left wing tip and main gear contacted the runway at which time the airplane sustained substantial damage. According to the pilot, his intent was to show the student that the airplane would still be controllable while flying at a slow airspeed in ground effect. The pilot added that during the maneuver, he let the airplane get away from him. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 1997, at 0930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N4491R, operated by a certified flight instructor (CFI) collided with the runway while landing at the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport, Grosse Ile, Michigan. Neither the CFI or student pilot were injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The training flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight originated at 0830 edt. In a statement, the pilot said he was demonstrating slow flight to the student while flying in ground effect over the runway. He indicated that the flaps were fully extended (40 degrees) and the power was just enough to sustain flying airspeed. At an altitude of approximately 5 feet above ground level (AGL), the left wing dipped. The left wing tip and main gear contacted the runway at which time the airplane sustained substantial damage. According to the pilot, his intent was to show the student that the airplane would still be controllable while flying at a slow airspeed in ground effect. The pilot added that during the maneuver he let the airplane get away from him. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4491R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4491R-2019-11-04), registration cancelled 2019-11-04, S/N 17263233, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263233 - Airframe hours: 4300 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: William P. Kuehnel - Registered owner: James Brissette - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ONZ - Destination: ONZ - Airport: ONZ, Grosse Ile, runway 22, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 980 total, 648 in this make and model, 749 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## Other investigations on N4491R (1) 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 GAA18CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA097), Dec 21, 2017: Cessna 172 (N4491R), Monroe, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s improper yaw control during the landing flare and the flight instructor’s failure to take remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing. 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.