# NTSB CHI90LA122: Cessna 172P, N54093, Plainfield, IL, May 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1990, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, IL
- Coordinates: 41.61053, -88.200233 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6105&lon=-88.2002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA122

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT'S IMPROPER FLARE, IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE CROSSWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A HIGH SINK RATE DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD, BOUNCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 38 HOURS, OF WHICH 6.4 HOURS WERE AS PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54093](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54093), registered now, S/N 17274873 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- 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: 17274873
- Airframe hours: 3091
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: A & M Aviation
- Registered owner: Eagle Aviaiton, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 5, 1990
- Departed: 1C5, PLAINFIELD, IL
- Airport: 1C5, Clow International, runway 36, 3,370 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 27 °F

## 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 19900502013329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900502013329A), May 2, 1990: Cessna 172P, Plainfield, IL, Substantial damage. Bounced on hard landing, rebounded twice and left the runway. A crosswind existed.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.