# NTSB CHI97LA026: Cessna 172P, N55161, Waukegan, IL, November 12, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1996, 12:36 local (18:36 UTC)
- Place: Waukegan, IL
- Coordinates: 42.39936, -87.8497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3994&lon=-87.8497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA026

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.  A factor was the pilot's misjudging the flare.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings.  The airplane was observed to bounce from a hard landing and then impact on the nose landing gear.  The pilot said she had received instruction subsequent to a previous landing accident.  She indicated that she was practicing solo landings in preparation for a re-examination for her pilot certificate when this accident occurred.

## Factual narrative

On November 12, 1996, at 1236 central standard time, a Cessna 172P, N55161, registered to the Stick and Rudder Club, Inc., received substantial damage during a bounced landing.  The private pilot was practicing landings on runway 32 (3,751' x 75' dry/concrete).  The pilot reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The local flight departed at 1232.

The pilot said that she was practicing takeoffs and landings in preparation for a re-exam for her certificate due to a previous landing accident.  She said she had received additional training after the accident and was practicing solo at the time this accident occurred.  She was unable to elaborate on the exact details of the current accident.

An air traffic controller in the tower said that he observed the airplane bounce from a hard landing.  The nose landing gear then impacted the terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55161](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55161-2005-07-06), registration cancelled 2005-07-06, S/N 17275124, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275124
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stick And Rudder Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: UGN
- Airport: UGN, Waukegan Regional, runway 32, 3,751 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UGN

## 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 19961112035209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961112035209A), Nov 12, 1996: Cessna 172P, Chicago/Waukega, IL, Substantial damage. Practice for reexam flight test. Bounced. Drove nose into ground due improper recovery attempt. Low time in type. (-23) the pilot was practicing landings on…

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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