# NTSB CHI04CA067: Cessna 172N, N738EJ, Cahokia, IL, February 7, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 7, 2004, 12:52 local (18:52 UTC) - Place: Cahokia, IL - Coordinates: 38.570835, -90.156112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5708&lon=-90.1561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 58907 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58907/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA067 ## Probable cause The inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor which lead to the student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snowbank during the landing. The snowbank was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The airplane struck a 1-1/2 foot high snowbank at the end of the runway during landing. The airplane was being piloted by a student pilot and flight instructor. No mechanical difficulties were reported. ## Factual narrative On February 7, 2004, at 1252 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N738EJ, piloted by a student pilot and certified flight instructor, was substantially damaged during landing at the St. Louis Downtown Airport, Cahokia, Illinois. The airplane's right main landing gear struck an approximately 1-1/2 foot high snowbank at the approach end of runway 30L (6997 feet by 100 feet, asphalt), and the airplane subsequently went off of the right side of the runway. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The student pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The local flight originated about 1230. In a written report, the instructor pilot stated that the student pilot was attempting to land as close to the runway threshold as possible to avoid possible wake turbulence from a jet that had previously taken off. She stated that during the landing flare, the airplane struck the snowbank and veered right into the grass adjacent to the runway. The report listed no mechanical problems with the airplane. The student pilot reported that he planned to land close to the runway threshold to avoid possible wake turbulence from a jet that had previously taken off. He stated that as they approached the runway, he heard a "thud" and the airplane shook. He stated that the airplane subsequently skidded off of the runway to the right. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738EJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738EJ-2015-05-14), registration cancelled 2015-05-14, S/N 17269917, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17269917 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: D & A Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CPS, CAHOKIA/ST LOUI, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,578 total, 975 in this make and model - Student pilot; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040207005729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040207005729A), Feb 7, 2004: Cessna 172N, Cahokia, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon the completion of two (2) touch & go takeoff and landings, instructor pilot (ip) and student remained in the traffic pattern for their third… ## Other investigations on N738EJ (1) 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 CHI00LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA065), Feb 5, 2000: Cessna 172 (N738EJ), Chesterfield, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot failed to maintain directional control during the takeoff portion of a touch and go landing. 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.