# NTSB CHI85LA052: Beech A23, N1407L, Plato Center, IL, November 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1984, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Plato Center, IL
- Location: 41.7858° N, 89.0301° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DURIN (IL53), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7858&lon=-89.0301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA052

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

ON FINAL APPROACH WITH A 30-DEGREE RIGHT CROSSWIND OF 14-16 KTS, THE PLT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF HEADWIND COMPONENT AS THEACFT PASSED BELOW HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS IN THE WINDSTREAM. POWER WAS NOT ADDED AND THE ACFT SETTLED TO THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. THE RIGHT LNDG GEAR ENCOUNTERED A DITCH CAUSING THE ACFT TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT. THE LEFT GEAR COLLAPSED UNDER THE IMPOSED SIDE LOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1407L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-796
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herman G. Rock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 8, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: ARR, AURORA, IL
- Destination: LL53, PLATO CENTER, IL
- Airport: IL53, Olson Field, runway 24, 2,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 278 total, 22 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 12 nm away

## 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 19841117062239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841117062239A), Nov 17, 1984: Beech 23BEECH, Plato Center, IL, Substantial damage. Encountered a downdraft on short final. Landing gear struck a ditch short of the runway. Failed to compensate.

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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