# NTSB CHI96LA156: Cessna 172N, N738CS, Crystal Lake, IL, May 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 1996, 10:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Crystal Lake, IL - Coordinates: 42.229228, -88.330116 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2292&lon=-88.3301&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10245 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10245/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA156 ## Probable cause the pilot not flying a proper glidepath for the displaced runway threshold. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - vehicle - Nose over, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that he 'intended to bleed off speed and touchdown on the numbers,' of the runway. The passenger on board noticed the large semi-truck and notified the pilot. The pilot said that he had no time to react. He only had enough time to identify what he had struck. A witness at the hold line for the active runway observed the airplane as it approached from the east. 'I noted that he was low on his approach and assumed that he would take corrective action. As he approached the road, a semi crossed in front of the airplane. The airplane appeared to impact the side of the truck with its landing gear. The airplane flipped over the truck and impacted the ground upside-down.' ## Factual narrative On May 13, 1996, at 1055 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 172N, N738CS, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when on approach for landing it struck a truck. The airplane subsequently nosed over and impacted the end of the runway. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated at Schaumburg, Illinois. In his written statement, the pilot reported that he "intended to bleed off speed and touchdown on the numbers," of the runway. The passenger on board noticed the large semi-truck and notified the pilot. The pilot said that he had no time to react. He only had enough time to identify what he had struck. A witness at the hold line for the active runway on the airport observed the airplane as it approached from the east. "I noted that he was low on his approach and assumed that he would take corrective action. As he approached the road, a semi crossed in front of the airplane. The airplane appeared to impact the side of the truck with its landing gear. The airplane flipped over the truck and impacted the ground upside-down." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage at the scene found the airplane upside-down in a field next to the runway. The engine had separated from the firewall, bending the firewall and engine mount forward. Both wings had numerous bends and wrinkles. The nose gear was bent left and aft. The fuselage skin was wrinkled beginning at the engine mount to aft of the crew compartment. There was crush damage to the top of the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The horizontal stabilizer and elevator were bent up and aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The engine, engine controls and all other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. A review of several flight planning publications which list Lake in the Hills Airport show remarks for runway 26 of, "threshold displaced 400 feet." Examination of the runway showed a white threshold line and runway identification numbers, 400 feet west of where the prepared surface began. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738CS-1998-04-29), registration cancelled 1998-04-29, S/N 17269877 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17269877 - Airframe hours: 7726 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Northwest Flyers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 16, 1996, 64 hours before - Departed: C59, LAKE LAWN, WI - Destination: 3CK - Airport: 3CK, Lake In The Hills, runway 26, 3,800 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 190 total, 140 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DPA, 20 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 19960513010329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960513010329A), May 13, 1996: Cessna 172N, Lake In The Hil, IL, Substantial damage. Too low on approach struck top of truck on road off threshold of runway. (-23) on Monday, may 13, 1996, Cessna N738CS, sn 17269877, model 172N, piloted by… 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.