# NTSB CHI91LA286: Cessna 170B, N8244A, Frankfort, IL, August 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1991, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, IL
- Coordinates: 41.490531, -87.829795 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4905&lon=-87.8298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15180/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA286

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS A CROSSWIND.

## 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)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

ON LANDING ROLL DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE TAILWHEEL AIRCRAFT WAS LOST. THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED AND EXITED THE RUNWAY TO TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK A BERM.  RECORDED WINDS FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT, 18 NAUTICAL MILES TO THE NORTH NORTHEAST WERE 030 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS, GUSTS TO 20 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8244A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8244A), registered now, S/N 25096, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25096
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James M. Patton
- Registered owner: James M. Patton
- Departed: C56, MONEE, IL
- Airport: C18, Frankfort, runway 9, 3,176 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 145 total, 81 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- 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 19910831037779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910831037779A), Aug 31, 1991: Cessna STC170, Frankfort, IL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control in gusty crosswind landing. Veered off runway into berm.

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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