# NTSB CHI98LA335: Cessna 172, N733XG, Harrisburg, IL, September 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 14, 1998, 21:00 local (Sep 15, 1998, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Harrisburg, IL - Coordinates: 37.729324, -88.540985 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7293&lon=-88.5410&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43935 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA335 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43935/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA335 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The student pilot reported the engine quit when the airplane had climbed to 5 to 6 feet agl. When the airplane touched down it veered left off the runway. The airplane went into a ditch where it nosed over. The airplane was inspected. The engine exhibited continuity. No anomalies were found in the fuel and ignition system. The inspector reported there was no apparent reason for the power failure. ## Factual narrative On September 14, 1998, at 2100 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N733XG, was substantially damaged during takeoff. A student pilot on his first night solo flight reported the airplane experienced a loss of power after the airplane had lifted off the runway. The student pilot landed the airplane on the runway, and then the airplane veered off the runway. The airplane rolled into a ditch about 100 feet left of the runway and nosed over. The student pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was departing the Harrisburg-Raliegh Airport on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The student pilot reported the engine quit when the airplane had climbed to 5 to 6 feet agl. When the airplane touched down it veered left off the runway. The airplane went into a ditch where it nosed over. An Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane. The engine exhibited continuity. No anomalies were found in the fuel and ignition system. The inspector reported there was no apparent reason for the power failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733XG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733XG-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17268626, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268626 - Airframe hours: 5527 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry Wood - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 29, 1997, 49 hours before - Departed: HSB - Airport: HSB, Harrisburg/Raleigh, runway 24, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 6 in this make and model, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MWA, 25 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 19980914024029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980914024029A), Sep 14, 1998: Cessna 172N, Harrisburg, IL, Substantial damage. Acft crashed under unknown circumstances. (-23) the pilot stated that after take off, at an altitude of approximately five (5) feet above the runway he lost… 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.