# NTSB CHI97LA265: Cessna P210, N44C, Grayslake, IL, August 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1997, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Grayslake, IL - Coordinates: 42.340496, -88.029373 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3405&lon=-88.0294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10677 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA265 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10677/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA265 ## Probable cause excessive airspeed and the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point during landing. Factors associated with the accident were inadequate aircraft preflight and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the fuel level in his main tanks was getting low so he attempted to transfer fuel from the tip tanks only to discover that the transfer pumps were inoperative. He decided to land at the closest airport. The first landing approach was high so he performed a go-around. The second approach was also high, but he elected to land anyway instead of risk running out of fuel during another go-around. The airplane touched down long and fast. It traveled off the runway where it contacted a 12 foot deep ditch which contained 3 feet of water. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 1997, at 0900 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna P210, N44C, operated by a commercial pilot collided with a ditch following a loss of directional control while landing at the Campbell Airport, Grayslake, Illinois. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Wheeling, Illinois. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to check the airplane's pressurization system which had just been repaired. He reported that he departed with 1 hour of fuel in the main tanks and 45 minutes of fuel in the tip tanks. During the flight he noticed that the fuel level in the main tanks was getting low so he attempted to transfer fuel from the tip tanks into the mains. It was at this time that he discovered the transfer pumps were inoperative. He estimated he approximately 15 minutes of fuel left in the main fuel tanks so he elected to land at the nearest airport. The pilot reported that he was high on the first landing approach so he performed a go-around. He stated that he was high again on the second approach, but decided to land instead of risk running out of fuel during another go-around. The airplane touched down long and fast. The airplane traveled off the side of the runway where it continued to travel approximately 500 feet through the wet grass prior to contacting a creek bed. The creek contained approximately 3 feet of water at the bottom of a 12 foot ditch. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that the flaps were in the retracted position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44C), registered now, S/N P21000311, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna P210 - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000311 - Airframe hours: 2684 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Rosenberg - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1997, 24 hours before - Departed: PWK, WHEELING, IL - Destination: C81 - Airport: C81, Campbell, runway 27, 3,270 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,076 total, 1,031 in this make and model, 1,860 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Day - Wind: 315° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19970820023049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970820023049A), Aug 20, 1997: Cessna P210N, Grayslake, IL, Destroyed. (.4)The pilot reported that the fuel level in his main tanks was getting low so he attempted to transfer fuel from the tip tanks only to discover that the… ## Other investigations on N44C (1) 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 CEN17LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA039), Nov 13, 2016: Cessna P210N (N44C), Pleasanton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: Maintenance personnel's improper installation of the throttle linkage attachment hardware, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power when the hardware separated in flight. 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.