# NTSB CHI99LA201: Cessna 172G, N5869R, Union, IN, June 28, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1999, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Union, IN
- Coordinates: 38.349506, -87.559814 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3495&lon=-87.5598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA201

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the sign.  Factors associated with the accident were the low ceilings and the sign which was contacted.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane collided with a sign during an off airport landing.  The pilot was flying pipeline patrol when the accident occurred.  He reported that the weather quickly deteriorated during the flight.  He stated that since the airplane was not approved for instrument flight, and there were no airports nearby, he elected to make an off airport landing.  The pilot landed the airplane on a road during which time the left wing contacted a 2'x4' metal sign during the landing.  This resulted in damage to both the forward and rear spars in the left wing.

## Factual narrative

On June 29, 1999, at 0930 central standard time (cst), a Cessna 172, N5869R, operated by a commercial pilot collided with a sign during an off airport landing in Union, Indiana.  The pilot was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight originated from Owensboro, Kentucky, at 0820 cst.

The pilot was flying pipeline patrol when the accident occurred.  He reported that the weather quickly deteriorated during the flight.  He stated that since the airplane was not approved for instrument flight, and there were no airports nearby, he elected to make an off airport landing.  The pilot landed the airplane on a road during which time the left wing contacted a 2'x 4' metal sign during the landing.  This resulted in damage to both the forward and rear spars in the left wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5869R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5869R-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 17253538, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253538
- Airframe hours: 3758
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman A. Sinsel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 10, 1999, 81 hours before
- Departed: OWB, OWENSBORO, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,205 total, 664 in this make and model, 1,098 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 79 °F

## 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 19990628045809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990628045809A), Jun 28, 1999: Cessna 172G, Union, IN, No damage. (-23)The pilot, [privacy data omitted] stated while flying pipelines he decided to land due to lowering cloud ceilings. He touched down on highway 65 and on…

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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