# NTSB CHI85IA118: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9, N978Z, Champaign, IL, February 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1985, 23:25 local (Feb 11, 1985, 05:25 UTC)
- Place: Champaign, IL
- Coordinates: 40.109069, -88.239654 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1091&lon=-88.2397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 53 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12911
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85IA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12911/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85IA118

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - directional control - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

OZARK FLT #814 MOMENTARILY TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR 16 FT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY 31. WHEN 50 FT ABOVE MINIMUMS DURING THE ILS RWY 31 APCH THE F/O CALLED RWY IN SIGHT. CAPTAIN ASKED FOR LANDING LIGHTS WHICH THE F/O TURNED ON. CAPTAIN STATED, 'AT THIS POINT I NOTICED IT WAS SO BRIGHT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE. EITHER THE WEATHER HAD DETERIORATED OR THE LIGHTS REDUCED THE VISIBILITY TO THE POINT THAT I DECIDED A GO AROUND WAS NECESSARY.' A GO AROUND WAS INITIATED AND THE FLIGHT DIVERTED TO ST. LOUIS, MO. A 4 FT WIDE BY 100 FT LONG TRACK WAS FOUND IN THE SNOW 16 FT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY. WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS DOWN TO APPROACH MINIMUMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N978Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N978Z-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 47250, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-31) (registry code 302206A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47250
- Engines: P&W JT8 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SPRINGFIELD, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CMI, Willard, runway 31, 8,100 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMI

## Other investigations on N978Z (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 CHI93FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA109), Mar 12, 1993: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31 (N978Z), Saint Louis, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE CAPTAIN'S IMPROPER USE OF THRUST REVERSERS AND EXCESSIVE USE OF ENGINE POWER. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CROSSWIND AND THE FIRST OFFICER'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS.

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.

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