# NTSB CHI98LA149: Cessna 172M, N8994V, Elkhart, IN, May 7, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 1998, 22:04 local (May 7, 1998, 02:04 UTC) - Place: Elkhart, IN - Location: 41.7194° N, 86.0032° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELKHART MUNI (EKM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7194&lon=-86.0032&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10874 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10874/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA149 ## Probable cause the pilot's disorientation that led him to believe he was on the active runway. A factor was the pilot's inattentiveness. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (cause) - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was holding short of the active runway. When cleared for takeoff, the pilot applied full power from his hold short position without making a right turn onto the runway. According to the pilot, he thought he was already on the runway. The airplane traveled across the runway, through a ditch and became airborne. It then landed in a parking area and continued on until coming to rest after contacting a fence on the south side of the airport. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 1998, at 2204 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N8994V, operated by a private pilot collided with two fences during takeoff at the Elkhart Municipal Airport, Elkhart, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. N8994V was on taxiway B-1 holding short of runway 27 prior to takeoff. When cleared for takeoff, the pilot applied full power from his hold short position without making a right turn onto the runway. According to the pilot he thought he was already runway 27. According to an Inspector from the South Bend Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office and witnesses, the airplane crossed over runway 27 and proceeded through a grass covered ditch. As it came out of the ditch it became airborne, touching down in a parking area on the southeast side of the airport. The airplane then struck a fence on the south side of the airport. The right wing of the airplane contacted the corner post of this fence which resulted in the airplane turning to the west. It then struck another portion of the fence prior to coming to rest. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8994V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8994V-2018-10-29), registration cancelled 2018-10-29, S/N 17264349, 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: 17264349 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wings, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: EKM - Destination: SBN, SOUTH BEND, IN - Airport: EKM, Elkhart Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EKM ## 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 19980507008519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980507008519A), May 7, 1998: Cessna 172M, Elkhart, IN, Substantial damage. Made fast turn onto runway for takeoff. Lost control wide turn caused 172 to hit chain link fences. (.19)on may 6, 1998, at 2204 eastern daylight time, a… ## Other investigations on N8994V (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 GAA18CA471](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA471), Aug 4, 2018: Cessna 172 (N8994V), Dowagiac, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain bank control during takeoff. 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.