# NTSB CHI90LA016: Cessna 172, N4269F, New Lenox, IL, October 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1989, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: New Lenox, IL
- Coordinates: 41.510597, -87.979797 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5106&lon=-87.9798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14583
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14583/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA016

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN WIND INFORMATION, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS SELECTION OF AN UNFAVORABLE (WRONG) RUNWAY. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE CROSSWIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wind information - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER A LOCAL FLIGHT (ABOUT 15 MIN), THE PLT & PASSENGERS RETURNED TO THE ARPT & LANDED WITH A X-WIND ON THE SAME RWY. DURING THE LANDING, THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND & WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN HE DEPARTED, THE WIND WAS 'RIGHT DOWN THE RUNWAY.'  HE DID NOT CONSIDER THAT THE WIND WOULD HAVE SHIFTED TO A X-WIND BY THE TIME THEY HAD RETURNED.  ANOTHER RWY (5/23) WAS AVAILABLE AT THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4269F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4269F), registered now, S/N 46169 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46169
- Airframe hours: 3816
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald A. Roethle
- Registered owner: Roethle, Donald A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1989
- Departed: 1C2, NEW LENOX, IL
- Airport: 1C2, New Lenox-Howell, runway 31, 3,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 360 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW, 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 19891016044219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891016044219A), Oct 16, 1989: Cessna 172, New Lenox, IL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing in gusty crosswind. Failed to note wind had shifted.

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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