# NTSB CHI87LA019: Cessna 172N, N1631E, Bethalto, IL, November 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1986, 10:18 local (16:18 UTC)
- Place: Bethalto, IL
- Coordinates: 38.899036, -90.039718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8990&lon=-90.0397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN ILS APPROACH INTO AN AIRFIELD (RUNWAY 29) THAT WAS REPORTING A ZERO FOOT OBSCURED CEILING WITH 1/16 MILE VISIBILTIY AND FOG. HE STATED THAT HE BECAME CONFUSED DURING THE LAST PORTION OF THE APPROACH AND WAS BEGINNING A MISSED APPROACH WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE IMPACT OCCURRED 1/2 MILE SOUTH OF THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 29.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1631E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1631E), registered now, S/N 17271073, 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: 17271073
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: James E. Bechtel
- Registered owner: James E. Bechtel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ASW, WARSAW, IN
- Destination: LTD, LITCHFIELD, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ALN, Alton St Louis Regional, runway 29, 6,497 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 755 total, 450 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALN, 2 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 19861117056109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861117056109A), Nov 17, 1986: Cessna 172N, Alton/St Louis, IL, Destroyed. All airports in area below landing minimums. Struck trees and crashed half mile left of the runway.

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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