# NTSB CHI89LA007: Cessna 172, N98395, Carbondale, IL, October 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1988, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Carbondale, IL
- Coordinates: 37.720371, -89.209274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7204&lon=-89.2093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA007

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - approach light/navaid

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT, WHILE ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT, EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHICH HE FAILED TO CORRECT. THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, STRIKING A VASI INSTALLATION BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT ATTEMPT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98395](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98395), registered now, S/N 17276285, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276285
- Airframe hours: 909
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Institute & Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1988, 59 hours before
- Airport: MDH, Southern Illinois Airport, runway 36, 5,801 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15 total, 15 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDH

## 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 19881009046319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881009046319A), Oct 9, 1988: Cessna 172P, Carbondale-Murp, IL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on first solo takeoff. Left the runway and struck a VASI light. No attempt to recover.

## Other investigations on N98395 (2)

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.

- [NTSB GAA18CA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA360), Jun 14, 2018: Cessna 172 (N98395), Salem, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a pole while taxiing the airplane on the ramp.
- [NTSB CHI03LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA212), Jul 14, 2003: Cessna 172P (N98395), Pinckneyville, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The planned approach not maintained by the pilot and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor. A contributing factor to the accident was the approach light.

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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