# NTSB CHI94LA325: Cessna 172RG, N616SF, West Chicago, IL, September 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 1994, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: West Chicago, IL - Coordinates: 41.880195, -88.219329 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8802&lon=-88.2193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9680 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA325 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9680/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA325 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command (CFI)'s inadequate supervision. Factors were the abrupt flare by the dual student. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - flare - abrupt, dual student (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis WHILE CONDUCTING A PRECISION APPROACH THE STUDENT REDUCED THE POWER AND THE DESCENT RATE INCREASED. THE STUDENT ABRUPTLY ADDED POWER. THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP AND STALLED ON SHORT FINAL. POWER WAS ADDED BY THE STUDENT, BUT TOO LATE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE RUNWAY. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 1994, at 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N616SF, registered to Planemaster Services, Inc. of West Chicago, Illinois, and operated by a commercial flight instructor and a commercial student, departed controlled flight on short final to a landing on runway 15 (3,401' X 100' dry/asphalt) at DuPage Airport, West Chicago, Illinois, and impacted on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The instructor pilot and student reported no injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed West Chicago, Illinois, at 1515. The student said that he was making a power off approach in accordance with the flight instructor's instructions. He stated as he came closer to touchdown he asked the instructor if he could add power, but did not receive an answer. He stated that he then "pushed the throttle forward and pitched up." He said at that point the instructor said, "Don't stall." But the airplane sank "too fast for me to react." The instructor stated that he was giving the student instruction in a "precision approach." He stated that when the student thought they were too high, "... he cut the power increasing the descent rate. He flared abruptly at approximately 20 feet above runway putting aircraft in a stall. He added power at this point, but it was too late... ." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N616SF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N616SF), registered now, S/N 172RG0740, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0740 - Airframe hours: 4304 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Planemaster Services, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1994, 31 hours before - Departed: DPA - Destination: DPA - Airport: DPA, Du Page Airport, runway 15, 3,401 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 8,125 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 13 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DPA ## 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 19940913026909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940913026909A), Sep 13, 1994: Cessna 172RG, Chicago/West Ch, IL, Substantial damage. On precision approach high sink rate. Added power. Pitched up and stalled. CFI failed to advise proper recovery. ## Other investigations on N616SF (1) 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 DFW06CA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA106), Mar 21, 2006: Cessna 172RG (N616SF), Bridgeport, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's delayed remedial action to regain control of the airplane while landing in a crosswind, and the inadvertent retraction of the landing gear by the pilot receiving instruction… 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.