# NTSB CHI91LA222: Cessna 172, N99515, West Chicago, IL, July 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1991, 13:46 local (18:46 UTC)
- Place: West Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.880237, -88.220436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8802&lon=-88.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15123
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15123/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA222

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE CFI/PIC.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A GUSTY CROSS WIND AND AN AIRPORT FACILITY, VASI LIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command(cfi)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CFI SAID THAT WHILE PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS WITH A DUAL STUDENT, IN A CROSSWIND, THE AIRPLANE WAS CAUGHT BY A WIND GUST AND TURNED SIDEWAYS.  THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY COLLIDING WITH A VASI LIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99515](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99515-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 17276458, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 1726458
- Airframe hours: 6441
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: American Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 2, 1991, 49 hours before
- Airport: DPA, Dupage Co., runway 28, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 430 total, 270 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 1 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 19910720029669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910720029669A), Jul 20, 1991: Cessna 172P, Chicago/West Ch, IL, Substantial damage. Student lost directional control on landing. CFI took over but was unable to regain control. Blamed wind gust.

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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