# NTSB CHI87LA208: Cessna 172PC, N5343K, Jerseyville, IL, September 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1987, 20:00 local (Sep 9, 1987, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Jerseyville, IL
- Coordinates: 39.110019, -90.31929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1100&lon=-90.3193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE RETURNING FROM A LOCAL FLIGHT. IT HAD BECOME DARK DURING THEIR FLIGHT AND AS THE PILOT WAS APPROACHING TO LAND ON RUNWAY 36 THE LANDING GEAR OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DRAINAGE DITCH APPROXIMATELY 2-3 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SLID APPROXIMATELY 6-10 FEET BEFORE STOPPING. PILOT'S FIRST NIGHT FLIGHT AS PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5343K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5343K-2013-11-14), registration cancelled 2013-11-14, S/N 17274073, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172PC
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274073
- Airframe hours: 2156
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jersey Sport Flyers
- Registered owner: Jerseyville Sport Flyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: 0K5, JERSEYVILLE, IL
- Airport: OK5, Jerseyville Arpt, runway 36, 2,550 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 70 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALN, 20 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 19870908049919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870908049919A), Sep 8, 1987: Cessna 172P, Jerseyville, IL, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway. Landing gear struck a drainage ditch three feet short of runway. Nose gear sheared off.

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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