# NTSB IAD97LA046: Cessna 172P, N62332, Chesapeake, OH, February 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 4, 1997, 02:30 local (07:30 UTC) - Place: Chesapeake, OH - Coordinates: 38.409168, -82.570632 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4092&lon=-82.5706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28175 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28175/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA046 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude during the approach at night. Related factors were: darkness, and the pilot's lack of night flying experience. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - light condition - night (contributing factor) - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot departed at 0030 for a cross-country flight in night visual meteorological conditions. After a 2 hour flight, the pilot entered a left downwind for runway 26. Not satisfied with his approach, the pilot executed a go-around. He reentered the pattern on downwind for runway 8. Once established, the pilot reported that he turned base leg. After rolling wings level on base, the runway environment disappeared, and the landing light illuminated a row of trees. The pilot added full power, closed the carburetor heat, and established a climb attitude, but the airplane contacted trees and was damaged. Since no major impact occurred, the pilot reestablished his approach and completed the landing with no further occurrence, then taxied to the ramp. The pilot had 5.4 hours total night flight time, and this was his first night time logged as pilot-in-command. ## Factual narrative On February 4, 1997, about 0230 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172P, N62332, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees while on base leg at the Lawrence County Airpark, Chesapeake, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was uninjured. Night visual meteorological conditions existed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot checked weather utilizing the Direct User Access System (DUATS) at 2330, February 3, 1997. After departing the Wright Brothers Airport, Dayton, Ohio, about 0030, the pilot stated he flew locally to check the actual (weather) conditions. Satisfied with the weather, the pilot reported "the remainder of the flight to Lawrence County Airport (HTW) was uneventful and (weather) conditions improved as forecasted." Upon his arrival at HTW, the pilot entered the left downwind for runway 26 because "I was familiar with this approach." The pilot recalled, "this approach was not satisfactory as my ground speed and altitude were high." Executing a go-around, the pilot reentered the pattern on a left downwind for runway 08. The pilot reported that he added carburetor heat at midfield, reduced engine power to 1500 rpm and lowered flaps to 10 degrees abeam the Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL). At the 45 degree position to the REIL, the pilot reported that he turned base leg and, "upon leveling off (rolling wings level) on base, the REIL disappeared and the (airplane's) landing light illuminated a row of trees." The pilot stated that he "added full power, closed the carburetor heat, and established a climb attitude." The pilot knew that he contacted the trees, but did not feel a major impact, so, "reestablished my decent and airspeed, lowered flaps to 20 degrees, and turned final." The pilot stated that he "completed the landing with no further occurrence" and taxied to the ramp. The private pilot stated that he had 5.4 total night flight hours and this was the first flight as pilot in command at night. The pilot had 3.4 hours in make and model airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62332](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62332), registered now, S/N 17275251, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-75251 - Airframe hours: 4881 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aviation Sales, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 18, 1997, 19 hours before - Departed: MGY, DAYTON, OH - Destination: HTW, OH - Airport: HTW, Lawrence County, runway 8, 3,002 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 3 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HTS, 5 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 19970204001519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970204001519A), Feb 4, 1997: Cessna 172P, Chesapeake/Hunt, WV, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck tree tops on approach, applied power and pulled nose up before landing. (-23) after executing a missed approach to runway 26 at south point,… ## Other investigations on N62332 (2) 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 NYC01LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA078), Feb 9, 2001: Cessna 172P (N62332), Miamisburg, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Factors included the nighttime conditions, and the pilot's improper decision to leave the runway lighting at high intensity. - [NTSB CHI83LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA056), Dec 12, 1982: Cessna 172 (N62332), Cincinnati, OH, substantial damage 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.