# NTSB CHI90LA152: Beech T-34A, N54RF, Champaign, IL, June 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1990, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Champaign, IL
- Coordinates: 40.109577, -88.239585 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1096&lon=-88.2396&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 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA152

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY FLARE THE AIRCRAFT FOR LANDING. THE ADVERSE WIND 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)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT WITH ONE PASSENGER ABOARD ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON A TURF RUNWAY. ON AN APPROACH TO LAND ON RUNWAY 36, THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONFIGURED FOR A SHORT FIELD LANDING. WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 315 DEGREES AT 15 GUSTING 20 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, AND THE NOSE GEAR AND RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54RF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54RF), registered now, S/N G-140, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH T-34A
- Registry model: [Beech A45](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a45) (registry code 1152006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: G-140
- Airframe hours: 3616
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB-11B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frasca, Rudolf A.
- Registered owner: Frasca, Rudolph A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1989, 84 hours before
- Departed: NONE, ATWOOD, IL
- Destination: NONE, CHAMPAIGN, IL
- Airport: NONE, Andrews Rla, runway 36, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,040 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CMI, 10 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 19900609019929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900609019929A), Jun 9, 1990: Beech T34A, Champaign, IL, Substantial damage. Failed to arrest high sink rate after clearing trees. Impacted sod strip collapsing nose and right main gears.

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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