# NTSB CHI90DEE09: Bennert Sidewinder, N81X, Lansing, IL, August 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1990, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Lansing, IL
- Coordinates: 41.559791, -87.540672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5598&lon=-87.5407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEE09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEE09

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WINDS CONDITIONS ON LANDING APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flare - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT EXECUTING VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN TO FULL STOP LANDED HARD AND DEPARTED LEFT SIDE OF RUNWAY. WINDS IN VICINITY WERE 40 DEGREES LEFT OF RUNWAY HEADING AND GUSTING FROM 13 TO 22 KNOTS. PILOT STATES HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE ON FINAL AND THAT, WHILE HOLDING A NORMAL APPROACH ATTITUDE, AIRPLANE WAS 'SHOVED' INTO THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N81X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BENNERT SIDEWINDER
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 212316
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas A. Degan, Jr.
- Registered owner: John Riggio, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1990
- Departed: 3HA, LANSING, IL
- Airport: 3HA, Lansing Muni, runway 9, 3,655 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,153 total, 11 in this make and model, 1,905 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW, 18 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 19900805033259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900805033259A), Aug 5, 1990: Amtrsy SIDEWINDER, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. Gust of wind slammed homebuilt onto runway on landing. Pilot lost control and aircraft veered off 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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