# NTSB CHI98LA237: Cessna 172M, N2XC, Chesterfield, MO, July 4, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1998, 16:05 local (21:05 UTC) - Place: Chesterfield, MO - Coordinates: 38.650318, -90.530281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6503&lon=-90.5303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10949 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10949/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA237 ## Probable cause the pilot's not obtaining and maintaining directional control. A factor was wet terrain (grass). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - not obtained, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane exited the runway after touchdown, traversed a wet grassy area and impacted a taxiway. The pilot said that he did not have his feet on the brakes, neither did he make any rudder input on touchdown. He said that he did not realize when the nosewheel contacted the runway. He said that after exiting the runway, his application of brakes and left rudder stopped the right turn, but did not return the airplane to the runway. The airplane continued across a taxiway where the nosewheel contacted a lip on the pavement and collapsed. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the airplane was conducted and no anomalies were found in the brakes or continuity of the flight controls. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 1998, at 1605 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N2XC, operated by a private pilot sustained substantial damage when it exited runway 26R (3,800' x 75' dry/asphalt) on landing at Spirit of Saint Louis Airport, near Chesterfield, Missouri. 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 about 1530. The pilot stated in his written statement that on landing the airplane veered to the right and exited the runway. He said that he felt he did not have his feet on the brakes nor to be making right rudder input on touchdown, but he did not take note of when the nosewheel contacted the runway.. He said that after veering off the runway, using brakes and left rudder stopped the right turn, but did not return the airplane to the runway. He said that the grass was wet. The airplane continued across a taxiway where the nosewheel contacted a lip on the pavement and collapsed. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the airplane was conducted and no anomalies were found in the brakes or continuity of the flight controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2XC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2XC), registered now, S/N 17266833 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17266833 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: E. D. Graham - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 12, 1998, 40 hours before - Departed: SUS - Airport: SUS, Spiirit Of St Louis, runway 26R, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 167 total, 64 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SUS ## 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 19980704023599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980704023599A), Jul 4, 1998: Cessna 172M, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Veered right off runway into wet grassy field. Hit road lip. Bent nose gear. Indicates applied brakes on flare. (.4)the airplane exited the runway after… 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.