# NTSB CHI96LA140: Cessna 172, N6542J, Dekalb, IL, April 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 1996, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Dekalb, IL - Coordinates: 41.890419, -88.750633 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8904&lon=-88.7506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10234 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10234/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA140 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's inadequate supervision, and his delay in taking remedial action to regain directional control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the student's improper flare for landing, improper recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane; and the proximity of a pole to the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - flare - improper, dual student (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, dual student (contributing factor) - aborted landing - attempted, dual student - directional control - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - pole (contributing factor) ## Analysis A student pilot and a flight instructor (CFI) were practicing crosswind takeoffs and landings. The student misjudged a landing flare, and the airplane bounced during touchdown. The student added power to abort the landing, but directional control of the airplane was not maintained. The airplane traveled off the left side of the runway into a grass area. The CFI stated he reduced the power as the airplane rolled off the runway into the grass. However, the airplane's right wing contacted a pole located 85 to 100 feet from the runway. The airplane then traveled an additional 500 feet before coming to a stop. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 1996, at 1345 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N6542J, operated by American Flyers collided with a pole following a loss of directional control while landing at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, DeKalb, Illinois. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. Neither the certificated flight instructor (CFI) nor the student pilot reported any injuries. The flight originated from West Chicago, Illinois, at 1315. The CFI stated the purpose of the flight was to practice crosswind takeoffs and landings. He stated that the local winds were from 140 degrees at 13 knots and the landing was being made on runway 09 (4,199' x 50'). He reported that the student flared the airplane too high and the airplane landed hard, bouncing on the runway. He stated that while airborne after the bounce, the student applied full power to initiate an aborted landing; however, the nose of the airplane was pointed toward the left side of the runway. He stated he pulled the throttle to idle and the airplane rolled off the side of the runway into the grass. The right wing of the airplane contacted a pole which was located 85' to 100' off the side of the runway. The airplane traveled an additional 500' past the pole prior to coming to a stop. Damage to the right wing consisted of leading edge skin. Two wing ribs were also damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6542J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6542J-2013-11-08), registration cancelled 2013-11-08, S/N 17273887, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273887 - Airframe hours: 7430 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: American Flyers - Registered owner: Ate Of Texas, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 12, 1996, 14 hours before - Departed: DPA, WEST CHICAGO, IL - Destination: DKB - Airport: DKB, Dekalb-Taylor Municipal, runway 9, 4,199 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 461 total, 132 in this make and model, 379 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 11 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DPA, 24 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 19960421008049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960421008049A), Apr 21, 1996: Cessna 172N, Dekalb, IL, Substantial damage. Bounced landing. Began go around CFI cut power as 172 veered off runway. Hit iron pole 500FT off runway. (-23) no narrative. ## Other investigations on N6542J (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 ATL03LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA003), Oct 13, 2002: Cessna 172N (N6542J), Pompano Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB MIA93LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA132), Apr 12, 1993: Cessna 172N (N6542J), Immokalee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO BUZZ AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. 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.