# NTSB CHI95LA140: Cessna 152, N47331, West Chicago, IL, May 1, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1995, 13:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: West Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.879489, -88.220947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8795&lon=-88.2209&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 8, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA140

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor 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)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RIGHT HAND EDGE OF RUNWAY 10 AT DUPAGE AIRPORT SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN A STRONG CROSSWIND CONDITION. THE STUDENT PILOT MADE NO CORRECTIONS, FOR FEAR OF FLIPPING THE AIRPLANE OVER.  REPORTED WINDS SEVEN MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT WERE FROM 050 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS.

## Factual narrative

On May 1, 1995, at 1335 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N47331, registered to the DuPage Airport Authority of West Chicago, Illinois, and operated by a student pilot, exited runway 10 (4,751' x 75' dry/asphalt) at Dupage Airport, West Chicago, Illinois, and sustained substantial damage when it nosed over.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  A VFR flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Peoria, Illinois, at 1206.

The student pilot reported in his written statement that after a go around from his first approach, he encountered a crosswind condition on his second approach.  He was concerned that a "violent" correction would flip the aircraft over.  On roll out, the airplane exited the runway to the right, and nosed over after the nose landing gear sank into the mud.  Seven minutes after the accident, DuPage Tower was reporting wind conditions, 050 degrees at 15 knots, gusts to 20 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N47331 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283215
- Airframe hours: 6647
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Planemaster, Dupage Airport
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, April 27, 1995, 13 hours before
- Departed: PIA, PEORIA, IL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: DPA, Dupage, runway 10, 4,751 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 80 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 1 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 19950501013139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950501013139A), May 1, 1995: Cessna 152, Chicago/West Ch, IL, Substantial damage. Veered off runway and nosed over. Strong unforecast crosswind and pilot skill a factor. Mud caused flip over. (-23) on may 01, 1995 at 1342 CDT a Cessna 152,…

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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