# NTSB CHI97LA111: Cessna 177, N3489T, Rantoul, IL, April 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 1997, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Rantoul, IL - Coordinates: 40.29911, -88.15081 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2991&lon=-88.1508&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 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10549 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10549/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA111 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that during the landing flare, she reduced power, and the airplane 'fell in.' The airplane bounced, and the pilot added power; however, the airplane contacted the runway on the nose gear. The airplane bounced once again. Once again, the pilot added power, this time making a landing. The pilot reported she noticed damage to the airplane after taxiing to the local fixed base operator. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 1997, at 1310 central daylight time, a Cessna 177, N3489T, operated by a student pilot collided with the runway following a loss of control while landing at the Rantoul National Aviation Center, Rantoul, Illinois. The landing was being made on runway 27 (5,000' x 75'). The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. The flight originated from Plymouth, Indiana, at approximately 1200 cdt. The student pilot stated she entered the traffic pattern for runway 27. On downwind she "put on half flaps and maintained an airspeed of 80 mph." She stated she initiated the landing flare over the first quarter of the runway and when she "pulled off the throttle" the airplane "fell in." She reported the airplane bounced and she applied power, but it contacted the runway on the nose gear. She reported the airplane bounced once more at which time she again added power and made a landing. The student pilot reported that after taxiing the airplane to the local fixed base operator she noticed the damage to the nose gear and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3489T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3489T), registered now, S/N 17700789, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700789 - Airframe hours: 3345 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joel And Shelley Wolvos - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1997, 30 hours before - Departed: C65, PLYMOUTH, IN - Destination: 2I5 - Airport: 2I5, Rantoul National, runway 27, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 91 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CMI, 19 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 19970419006349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970419006349A), Apr 19, 1997: Cessna 177, Rantoul, IL, Substantial damage. Flared high. Dropped to runway. Bounced. Porpoised. Collapsed nose gear bent fuselage. (-23) the student pilot was on a cross-country flight from plymouth,… 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.