# NTSB CHI89LA081: Cessna 172D, N98923, Ottawa, IL, April 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1989, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Ottawa, IL
- Coordinates: 41.350002, -88.830131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3500&lon=-88.8301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA081

## Probable cause

STUDENT PILOT'S CONTINUING AN APPROACH TO LANDING BEYOND THE POINT WHERE SHE COULD BRING THE AIRCRAFT TO A CONTROLLED STOP ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS, THE STUDENT PILOT WAS OBSERVED TO 'COME IN WAY TOO HIGH' ON FINAL APPROACH, AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LAST 500 FEET OF THE RUNWAY. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98923](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98923), registered now, S/N 17276381, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- 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: 17276381
- Airframe hours: 1586
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ottawa Airmens Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1988, 403 hours before
- Departed: C13, OTTAWA, IL
- Airport: C13, Ottawa, runway 5, 3,125 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 50 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 19890425010609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890425010609A), Apr 25, 1989: Cessna 172D, Ottawa, IL, Substantial damage. Landed on last 50 feet of runway. Ran off end into a ditch. Was students 3rd supervised solo.

## Other investigations on N98923 (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 ERA13CA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA377), Aug 24, 2013: Cessna 172P (N98923), Mitchellville, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to depart with a known deficiency following a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was an anomaly of the airplane’s nosewheel steering that could not be replicated during…
- [NTSB CHI90LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA063), Jan 6, 1990: Cessna 172 (N98923), Newark, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE WET CONDITION OF THE GRASS RUNWAY WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

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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