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NTSB Report
August 19, 1985 · Cessna 172 · N5146A
Rose Township, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Rose Township, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N5146A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI85FA356
JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING AT A VERY LOW ALT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE HOME OF THE PLT'S BROTHER. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFTS ENG WAS OPERATING NORMALLY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT'S HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK THE TOP BRANCHES OF A TREE (APRX 60 FT TALL), THEN THE PLANE DID A WING-OVER & CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. TOXICOLOGY TESTS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & URINE SHOWED ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.068% & 0.062%, RESPECTIVELY.
Full Narrative
JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING AT A VERY LOW ALT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE HOME OF THE PLT'S BROTHER. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFTS ENG WAS OPERATING NORMALLY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT'S HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK THE TOP BRANCHES OF A TREE (APRX 60 FT TALL), THEN THE PLANE DID A WING-OVER & CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. TOXICOLOGY TESTS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & URINE SHOWED ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.068% & 0.062%, RESPECTIVELY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:55 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN5146A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC