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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 18, 1997 · Cessna 152 · N4757B

Paragon, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 18, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Paragon, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N4757B
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI97LA137

A witness observed the airplane performing aerobatic maneuvers over a valley where a 'Hog Roast' party was in progress. He stated that the airplane was flying in an scary manner as the airplane performed a loop. The pilot described the maneuver before impact as a 90 degree bank angle with negative g's and too low to the trees. There were no pre-mishap discrepancies found with either the engine or the airframe. The Pilot Operating Handbook states, no aerobatic maneuvers are approved.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot did not maintain aircraft control. The factors involved were aerobatics were performed and improper use of aircraft.

Full Narrative

On May 17, 1997, at 2052 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cessna 152, N4757B, was destroyed after colliding with terrain during a pull out of an aerobatic maneuver. The private pilot was seriously injured. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed a private airstrip called Shenandoah, Paragon, Indiana, exact time unknown. According to the pilot's written statement, he only remembers planning a leisurely flight with a fueling stop at Bloomington, Indiana. A broadcast interview at the hospital conducted by the TV station WISH out of Indianapolis, Indiana revealed the pilot making the following statement, "I made a mistake I guess. I had, I was in a steep bank and a lot of turbulence and got a little bit of negative g's out there and lost fuel pressure (the pilot used his right hand to show the airplane was in a 90 degree bank angle) and I was too low to the trees." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector represented the NTSB during the on-scene investigation. The FAA Inspector stated the airplane was performing aerobatic maneuvers over a valley where a "Hog Roast" party was in progress. The owner of the property, where the airplane came to rest, saw the airplane performing aerobatic maneuvers over the valley prior to the mishap. The airplane was low on the last maneuver and subsequently collided with trees and came to rest in a rock quarry. The land owner stated that "...I saw the accident aircraft flying in a scary manner. Aircraft did a loop... ." "Aircraft appeared to be wing high all the way to tree impact to the ground. Aircraft appeared to not be in control." Post-crash examination of the wreckage revealed the propeller did not remain attached to the engine and exhibited s-bending, twisting and chordwise scratching. All flight control surfaces were accounted for. All control cables were identified. There were no pre-mishap discrepancies found with either the engine or the airframe. The Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) states,"No aerobatic maneuvers are approved except those listed: Chandelles, Lazy Eights, Steep Turns, Spins and Stalls." The POH flight load factor limits for this airplane are with flaps up: +4.4g, -1.76g's.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:52 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN4757B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind210° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data