# NTSB CHI85LA136: Cessna 172N, N3421E, Crystal Lake, IL, March 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1985, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Crystal Lake, IL
- Coordinates: 42.160091, -88.299293 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1601&lon=-88.2993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA136

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - touch-and-go - initiated
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AS HE LOWERED THE NOSEWHEEL TO THE RWY DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. AS THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY, IT ENTERED SOFT TERRAIN WHICH PULLED THE ACFT FURTHER TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR HIT A DIRT & SNOW BANK, THEN THE ACFT NOSED OVER. ABOUT 17 MI SOUTH AT CRYSTAL LAKE, THE WIND WAS FROM 200 DEG AT 6 KTS. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND DURING AN EXAM OF THE BRAKES & STEERING SYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3421E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3421E), registered now, S/N 17271539, built 1978 (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: 1721539
- Airframe hours: 2909
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Skibor Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1985
- Airport: 3CK, Lake In The Hills, runway 26, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 175 in this make and model, 188 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 17 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 19850315007589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850315007589A), Mar 15, 1985: Cessna 172N, Crystal Lake, IL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control during rollout. Went off side of runway into dirt bank and aircraft flipped over.

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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