# NTSB CHI94LA289: Cessna 172, N97618, Plato Center, IL, August 28, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 1994, 16:32 local (21:32 UTC) - Place: Plato Center, IL - Location: 42.0014° N, 88.4746° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from Olson Airport (LL53), closed, within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0014&lon=-88.4746&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9646 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9646/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA289 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO TAKE OFF ON A SHORT RUNWAY WITH A GROSS WEIGHT WHICH EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WEIGHT AND AN IMPROPER FLAP SETTING. A FACTOR WAS THE LOCATION OF OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF FROM A 2400 FOOT RUNWAY WITH 20 DEGREES OF FLAPS. THE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE WITH 30 GALLONS FUEL AND 4 OCCUPANTS WAS ESTIMATED AT 2540 POUNDS. THE MAXIMUM CERTIFIED WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE WAS 2400 POUNDS. THE CALCULATED TAKEOFF DISTANCE FOR THE CONDITIONS WAS 1860 FEET AT 2400 POUNDS WITH A FLAP SETTING OF 10 DEGREES. THE PILOT HANDBOOK RECOMMENDS A 10 DEGREE FLAP SETTING FOR SHORT FIELD TAKEOFFS AND THAT FLAP SETTINGS GREATER THAN 10 DEGREES ARE NOT APPROVED FOR TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. POST-CRASH OPERATION OF THE ENGINE AT FULL THROTTLE RESULTED IN 2200 RPM. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 1994, at 1632 hours central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N97618, operated as a rental aircraft by John Fini of Schaumburg, Illinois, landed in a field 3/4 mile from the departure end of runway 24 (2,400' x 100') at Olson Field, Plato Center, Illinois, and was substantially damaged. The airplane came to rest inverted. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, had originated from Schaumburg Airpark, Schaumburg, Illinois, and was returning after a stop at Olson Field. The pilot reported performing soft field takeoff procedures, setting 20 degrees of flaps (flaps were at 20 degrees after the accident), and that after becoming airborne the airplane did not climb. The pilot reported normal magneto operation during pre-takeoff checks, and 2200 rpm on takeoff. The pilot stated that the engine may have surged during his takeoff. None of the passengers could remember any power surges. Post-crash inspection revealed no anomalies with the airplane. The engine was operated on the airframe, and developed 2200 rpm at full throttle. The magneto drop was less than 50 rpm with an engine setting of 1700 rpm. The total weight of the occupants was 840 pounds. The estimated fuel on board was 30 gallons (180 pounds). Aircraft empty weight was 1520 pounds. Total estimated weight at the time of the accident was 2540 pounds. The maximum certified weight in the normal category is 2400 pounds. The distance required for takeoff over a 50 foot obstacle derived from the Cessna-172P Pilot Operating Handbook for a temperature of 20 degrees C, pressure altitude of 1000 feet, at a gross weight of 2400 pounds, with a 10 degree flap setting, is 1860 feet. There is no takeoff performance data available for gross weights above 2400 pounds, or for flap settings greater than 10 degrees. The Pilot Operating Handbook, Section 4, Normal Procedures, calls for a flap setting of 10 degrees in the Short Field Takeoff checklist. Section 4, Normal Procedures, under "TAKEOFF, WING FLAP SETTINGS" states "Flap deflections greater than 10 degrees are not approved for takeoff." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97618](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97618-2011-03-17), registration cancelled 2011-03-17, S/N 17276217 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1727617 - Airframe hours: 4625 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John C Fini - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 1994, 98 hours before - Destination: 0GC, SCHAUMBURG, IL - Airport: LL53, Olson Field, runway 24, 2,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 83 total, 5 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 14 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DPA, 9 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 19940828023969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940828023969A), Aug 28, 1994: Cessna 172P, Plato Center, IL, Substantial damage. Attempted over gross takeoff flaps 20. Failed to clear trees end of runway. POH states flaps 10 for short takeoff. 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.