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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 27, 1988 · Cessna 172M · N20389

Plainwell, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Plainwell, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N20389
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI88LA118

DURING AN UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHT OF UNKNOWN DURATION, BY PERSON(S) UNKNOWN, AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED BY A WITNESS TO 'WOBBLE' AS IT APPROACHED THE RUNWAY. THE WITNESS THEN SAW THE AIRCRAFT 'CRASH' INTO THE GRASS AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT/OCCUPANT(S) OF THE AIRCRAFT HAD ABANDONED IT BY THE TIME POLICE AND THE WITNESS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. POLICE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES. INJURY INDEX PRESUMED.

Full Narrative

DURING AN UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHT OF UNKNOWN DURATION, BY PERSON(S) UNKNOWN, AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED BY A WITNESS TO 'WOBBLE' AS IT APPROACHED THE RUNWAY. THE WITNESS THEN SAW THE AIRCRAFT 'CRASH' INTO THE GRASS AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT/OCCUPANT(S) OF THE AIRCRAFT HAD ABANDONED IT BY THE TIME POLICE AND THE WITNESS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. POLICE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES. INJURY INDEX PRESUMED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:00 EDT
Nearest AirportOstego-Plainwell Muni (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN20389
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind240° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data