# NTSB CHI94LA122: Cessna 172P, N97650, Wheeling, IL, March 23, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 1994, 09:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Wheeling, IL - Coordinates: 42.129199, -87.920959 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1292&lon=-87.9210&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9497 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9497/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA122 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor associated with the accident was the 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) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 16 AND FAILED TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND COMPONENT. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE FROM 210 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 1994, at 0950 central standard time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N97650, sustained substantial damage when it departed runway 16 while landing in Wheeling, Illinois. The solo student pilot received no injuries. The instructional flight originated from Wheeling, Illinois at 0925 and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A VFR flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported the flight was planned as a student solo cross country to Watertown, Wisconsin. A local flight instructor checked the pilot's preparation and endorsed his log book for the planned flight. He departed runway 24 at Wheeling and elected to return due to deteriorating en route weather. The tower reported winds were from 210 degrees at 10 knots and told the pilot to expect runway 24. The pilot requested runway 16. In his written report he stated he was "not comfortable with runway 24 because of its length". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97650](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97650), registered now, S/N 17276218 (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: 17276218 - Airframe hours: 1074 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: American Flyers Palwaukee - Registered owner: Ate Of California Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, March 5, 1994, 59 hours before - Destination: RYV, WATERTOWN, WI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PWK, Palwaukee Municipal, runway 16, 5,137 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PWK ## 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 19940323008339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940323008339A), Mar 23, 1994: Cessna 172P, Chicago/Wheelin, IL, Substantial damage. Drifted off runway on crosswind landing. Left main gear collapsed. ## Other investigations on N97650 (2) 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. - [NTSB NYC06CA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA189), Jul 29, 2006: Cessna 172P (N97650), Poughkeepsie, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper flare and failure to recover from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing. - [NTSB CHI91LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA249), Aug 2, 1991: Cessna 172 (N97650), Wheeling, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A GUSTY CROSSWIND LANDING ENVIRONMENT AND A DITCH. 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.