# NTSB CHI97LA180: Cessna 172RG, N6280R, Chicago, IL, June 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 1997, 13:27 local (18:27 UTC) - Place: Chicago, IL - Coordinates: 41.869682, -87.650833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8697&lon=-87.6508&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 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10607 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10607/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA180 ## Probable cause the pilot inadvertently executed a wheels up landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while he was on a downwind leg for runway 18, he completed the landing checklist. He said he checked that the landing gear was locked and the green light was on while he was on the base leg. He reported that, 'As I flared to land, I hit the belly of the plane on the runway.' He reported that, 'By then I realized that the aircraft's landing gear had collapsed, and slid down the runway.' Inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the right side of the belly area, particularly on the lower wing strut attach bulkhead and the forward landing gear box bulkhead. The belly skin and associated attaching hardware were ground off approximately three inches on either side of the bulkheads. The aircraft was put on jack stands. The landing gear was cycled numerous times with no anomalies indicated. There were no scratch marks or damage to the landing gear, nor any damage to the landing gear gearbox. Both tires exhibited scuff marks about four inches wide perpendicular to the tire tread, but no rotational scuffing of the tires was noted. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 1997, at 1327 central daylight time (CDT), a Cessna 172RG, N6280R, operated by the Lewis University Aviation Department, sustained substantial damage when the landing gear collapsed during landing. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed the Lewis University Airport, Romeoville, Illinois, at 1230 CDT en route to Meigs Airport, Chicago, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that while he was on the downwind leg for runway 18, he completed the landing checklist. He checked that the landing gear was locked and the green light was on while he was on the base leg. He reported that, "As I flared to land, I hit the belly of the plane on the runway." He reported that, "By then I realized that the aircraft's landing gear had collapsed, and slid down the runway." He evacuated the airplane when it came to a stop. An Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration inspected the airplane. He reported damage to the right side of the belly area, particularly on the lower wing strut attach bulkhead and the forward landing gear box bulkhead. The belly skin and associated attaching hardware was ground off approximately three inches on either side of the bulkheads. Several antennas were damaged from being dragged along the ground. The flat antenna located on the left side of the belly was ground at an angle, indicating the right side of the aircraft was lower. The inspector reported that, "Its damage indicated all three landing gear would have to be in a retracted position. Any single gear extended would not have allowed the damage to the unit." The inspector reported that, "The damage on the belly appeared to be the result of landing with the gear in the retracted position." The landing gear was inspected for damaged. The aircraft was put on jack stands. The landing gear was cycled numerous times both up and down with no anomalies indicated. There were no scratch marks on the landing gear, nor any damage to the landing gear gearbox. Both tires exhibited scuff marks about four inches wide perpendicular to the tire tread, but no rotational scuffing of the tires. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6280R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6280R), registered now, S/N 172RG0141, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0141 - Airframe hours: 5104 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lewis University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1997, 55 hours before - Departed: LOT, ROMEOVILLE, IL - Destination: CGX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: CGX, Meigs, runway 18, 3,899 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 265 total, 15 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CGX ## 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 19970622016359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970622016359A), Jun 22, 1997: Cessna 172RG, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported that while he was on a downwind leg for runway 18, he completed the landing checklist. He said he checked that the landing gear was… 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.