Cessna 172 N21662

Summary

On 5 March 1996 at about 22:00 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N21662 was involved in an accident near Valparaiso, Indiana, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 March 1996 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Valparaiso, Indiana, United States

Coordinates

41.4700, -87.0503

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N21662

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chicago → Hamilton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI96LA103

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather. Factors were the low ceilings, icing conditions, airframe ice, and the muddy field.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot received a preflight weather briefing that included marginal VFR conditions and reported icing in clouds near his route of flight. He experienced precipitation and airframe icing during cruise. He pulled the carburetor heat control to the on position, and descended to about 500 feet AGL to maintain visual contact with the ground. About 1/8 inch of ice had formed on the airplane, and he reversed course attempting to locate an airport. The flight controls felt 'sluggish.' He selected a field, configured the airplane, and made a precautionary landing. During the landing, the nose gear sank into the muddy field, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.