# NTSB CHI95LA177: Cessna R172E, N5173, Plato Center, IL, June 9, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1995, 13:53 local (18:53 UTC)
- Place: Plato Center, IL
- Location: 42.0086° N, 88.4578° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at Olson Airport (LL53), closed, within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0086&lon=-88.4578&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA177

## Probable cause

the pilot's excessive pull-up during a downwind banner pick-up resulting in a stall. A factor related to the accident was the tailwind.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A DOWNWIND BANNER PICKUP THE PILOT INITIATED A STEEP CLIMB AFTER HOOKING THE BANNER. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND THE PILOT RELEASED THE BANNER. THE AIRPLANE NOSED DOWN INTO THE TERRAIN NEXT TO THE RUNWAY AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.

## Factual narrative

On June 9, 1995, at 1353 central daylight time, a Cessna R172E, N5173, operated by Illinois Aerial Advertising, collided with the terrain during a banner pick-up at the Olson Field, Plato Center, Illinois.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured.

The banner had been positioned for a pick-up using the southwest runway.  After the banner had been layed out a wind shift occurred which favored using the northeast runway.  Instead of the banner being repositioned for the favorable runway, the pilot elected to make a downwind pick-up.

According to the pilot and witnesses, a downwind pick-up was made, and the pilot initiated a steep pull-up.  The airplane stalled, and the pilot released the banner, but was unable to recover prior to contacting the ground.

The airplane descended in a nose low attitude with the nose wheel striking the ground a separating from the airplane.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest on a heading opposite the direction of travel with approximately the right half of the airplane lying on the runway.

Winds reported at Dupage County Airport, 20 miles southeast of Olson Field, at 1350 cdt, were form 050 degrees at 11 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5173](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5173-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N R172-0144, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172E
- Registry model: [Cessna R172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172e) (registry code 2072413) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R172-0144
- Airframe hours: 2331
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Steve Fried
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LL53
- Airport: LL53, Olson

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,740 total, 513 in this make and model, 260 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 12 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 19950609017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950609017699A), Jun 9, 1995: Cessna R172E, Plato Center, IL, Substantial damage. Windshift. Pilot elected pickup banner downwind. Stalled on steep climb after banner pickup. Too low to reover. (-23) the banner that Mr. Sampson was to pickup…

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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