# NTSB CHI92LA259: Mooney 20F, N3486N, Lacon, IL, August 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1992, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Lacon, IL
- Coordinates: 41.019142, -89.400001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0191&lon=-89.4000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA259

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE RUNWAY HE SELECTED FOR LANDING WAS CLOSED. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S ANXIETY FOLLOWING THE NEAR-COLLISION, AND HIS LIMITED ABILITY TO DETECT THE ORANGE-COLORED MARKING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Near collision between aircraft, approach
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT NEARED THE AIRPORT FOR LANDING, HE MANEUVERED ABRUPTLY TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH A DEPARTING AIRPLANE. HE THEN EXECUTED AN APPROACH TO THAT RUNWAY BENEATH HIS WING. ON FINAL, HE OBSERVED THE RUNWAY TO BE BLACKTOP WITH NO MARKINGS. IN THE FLARE, HE OBSERVED THE RUNWAY DID NOT APPEAR TO BE FINISHED. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN A SOIL AREA RIPPING OFF THE GEAR. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD CHECKED THE NOTAMS AND WAS AWARE THAT THE N-S RUNWAY WAS CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION. HE INDICATED THAT THE EARLIER NEAR-COLLISION HAD STARTLED HIM AND HE LANDED ON THE FIRST RUNWAY HE HAD IN SIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE CLOSED RUNWAY WAS MARKED BY A CROSS ON THE SOIL 50 FT BEYOND EACH END USING PERFORATED ORANGE PLASTIC COMMONLY USED FOR CONSTRUCTION BARRIERS. THE PILOT HAD A MEDICAL WAIVER FOR PARTIAL COLOR-BLINDNESS TO RED AND GREEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3486N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3486N), registered now, S/N 680068, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY 20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 680068
- Airframe hours: 3400
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chien, Bruce B.
- Registered owner: Chien, Bruce B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1992, 4 hours before
- Departed: PIA, PEORIA, IL
- Airport: C75, Marshall County, runway 18, 2,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 432 total, 155 in this make and model, 365 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPI, 70 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 19920829034099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920829034099A), Aug 29, 1992: Mooney M20F, Lacon, IL, Substantial damage. Landed short of closed runway under construction. Hit runway lip and collapsed landing gear. NOTAM out on runway.

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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