# NTSB CHI99LA336: Cessna 172M, N172DJ, Daleville, IN, September 11, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 1999, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Daleville, IN - Coordinates: 40.110279, -85.55014 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1103&lon=-85.5501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47297 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA336 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47297/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA336 ## Probable cause A 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 - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot said that after lift off, the airplane's engine 'failed.' He said that he performed a controlled landing straight ahead into a corn field. The nose wheel broke off, the strut caught in the ground, and the plane nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 1999, at 1315 eastern standard time (est), a Cessna 172M, N172DJ, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when during a forced landing in a corn field, the airplane nosed over. Subsequent to the forced landing, the airplane's engine lost power, just after takeoff from a privately-owned grass airstrip, located 2 miles southeast of Daleville, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The two passengers on board the airplane sustained minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the pilot said that he performed a pre-flight on the airplane prior to the flight. It was the second pleasure flight of the day. He said that after lift off, the engine "failed." He said that he performed a controlled landing straight ahead into a corn field. The nose wheel broke off, the strut caught in the ground, and the airplane nosed over. An FAA inspector examined the airplane wreckage at the accident site. The airplane was found resting inverted in a corn field approximately 60 feet southeast of the departure end of the pilot's private grass airstrip. The airstrip (1,864' X 40') was oriented on a northwest to southeasterly heading. The airplane's right wing was bent rearward at the wing root. The right aft cabin window was broken inward. The airplane's left wing tip was broken off. The top of the airplane's vertical stabilizer was crushed inward and broken. The top of the rudder showed minor damage. The airplane's nose wheel and wheel pant was broken rearward. One of the engine's mounts was broken. Both propeller blades were bent rearward and showed torsional bending and chordwise scratches. One of the two propeller blades was curled at the tip. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Fuel was confirmed in the fuel vent lines. Both airplane fuel tanks were approximately 1/2 full. The airplane's engine was test run on September 21, 1999, at Dayton, Ohio. The engine produced full power and showed no anomalies. No anomalies were found in any of the other airplane systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N172DJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172DJ-2014-12-10), registration cancelled 2014-12-10, S/N 17262899, 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: 172-62899 - Airframe hours: 3348 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David M. Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1999, 15 hours before - Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 14, 1,864 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MIE, 47 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 19990911045699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990911045699A), Sep 11, 1999: Cessna 172M, Daleville, IN, No damage. (-23)On September 11, 1999 at approximately 1315 N172DJ, a Cessna 172 departed a grass strip near Daleville, Indiana. The pilot stated that after lift off the… 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.