# NTSB CHI87DEE04: Cessna 172, N2968U, Plainfield, IL, February 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1987, 13:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, IL
- Coordinates: 41.609931, -88.200622 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6099&lon=-88.2006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEE04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEE04

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - passenger briefing - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT BECAME STUCK IN A SNOWBANK. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER GOT OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT TO FREE IT. THE PASSENGER WALKED INTO THE PROPELLER OF THE RUNNING ENGINE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2968U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250568
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Dale, Jr.
- Registered owner: Thomas Dale, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1C5
- Airport: IL, Plainfield, runway 18, 3,370 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 125 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 15 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 19870202001479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870202001479A), Feb 2, 1987: Cessna 172D, Plainfield, IL, 1 fatal. The aircraft became stuck in the snow during taxi. The passenger was struck by the propeller when he exited.

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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