# NTSB CHI98LA060: Cessna 152, N68318, Waukegan, IL, December 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 14, 1997, 09:41 local (15:41 UTC) - Place: Waukegan, IL - Coordinates: 42.400024, -87.849037 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4000&lon=-87.8490&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 27, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10803 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10803/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA060 ## Probable cause the pilot's not identifying unsuitable terrain (snowbank) in the landing area, and his not selecting the proper touchdown point. A factor was the snowbank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not identified, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The solo student pilot said he did not see the snowbank at the approach end of the runway on which he planned a landing due to the snowbank blending to the snow covered surface area. Impact marks indicate that the landing gear of the accident airplane impacted the 3' high snowbank prior to impacting the runway. ## Factual narrative On December 14, 1997, at 0941 central time, a Cessna 152, N68318, registered to Stick and Rudder Club, Inc., of Waukegan, Illinois, and operated by a solo student pilot, sustained substantial damage when the left main landing gear impacted a snow bank on landing on runway 32 (3,751' X 75' dry/asphalt) at the Waukegan Regional Airport, near Waukegan, Illinois. The pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed at 0933. Impact marks revealed that the landing gear of the accident airplane struck a 3' high ridge of snow at the approach end of the runway, prior to impacting on the runway. The pilot stated in his written statement that he was unable to see the 3' snow bank because it "blended in with the snow covered surface area." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68318](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68318-1999-10-28), registration cancelled 1999-10-28, S/N 15285325 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15285325 - Airframe hours: 2640 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stick And Rudder Club, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 1997, 31 hours before - Departed: UGN - Airport: UGN, Waukegan Regional, runway 32, 3,751 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 78 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 23 °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 19971214038589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971214038589A), Dec 14, 1997: Cessna 152, Chicago/Waukega, IL, Substantial damage. Low on final struck snowbank short of runway threshold post private flight test was remedial action. (.4)the solo student pilot said he did not see the… ## Other investigations on N68318 (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 MKC85LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA046), Jan 8, 1985: Cessna 152 (N68318), Des Moines, IA, substantial damage 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.