# NTSB CHI99LA288: Cessna 172G, N4425L, Glenarm, IL, August 13, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1999, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Glenarm, IL
- Coordinates: 39.630592, -89.65084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6306&lon=-89.6508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA288
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA288

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the prevailing winds.  Factors were the pilot's misunderstanding of the wind information and the tailwind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

The pilot said he listened to the Springfield ATIS (automated terminal information service) broadcast before takeoff and set the altimeter.  He said he heard the wind was 290 degrees at 17 knots.  He said for some reason he taxied to the west end of the strip and did his run up.  The pilot said that on takeoff he started to lift off at 55 to 60 indicated.  He said on climb out the airplane drifted right and struck corn.  He said the right wing's contact with the corn pulled the airplane further into the corn and the airplane came to rest on its top.  The pilot said he should have been taking off to the west.

## Factual narrative

On August 13, 1999, at 0910 central daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N4425L, sustained substantial damage when during takeoff from Robinson RLA (restricted landing area)(2100 feet X 75 feet dry/turf) near Glenarm, Illinois, the airplane drifted right, struck corn, and nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the flight.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The private pilot and two passengers reported no injuries.  The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In a statement, the pilot stated that he listened to Springfield ATIS (automated terminal information service) before takeoff and set the altimeter.  He said that he heard the wind was 290 degrees at 17 knots.  He said that he taxied to his house and picked up two passengers for a short ride around the patch.  He said that for some reason he taxied to the west end of the strip and did his run up.  The pilot stated that on takeoff he started to lift off at 55 to 60 indicated.  He said that on climb out the airplane drifted right and struck corn.  He said that the right wing's contact with the corn pulled the airplane further into the corn and the airplane came to rest on its top.  The pilot said that he should have been taking off to the west.

At 0954, the Capitol Airport, Springfield, Illinois observation was: Wind 290 degrees at 17 knots gusts to 23 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition scattered 1,400 feet overcast 2,200; temperature 23 degrees C; dew point 19 degrees C; altimeter 29.80 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4425L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4425L-2002-08-13), registration cancelled 2002-08-13, S/N 17254514, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254514
- Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bernard And Carol Robinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1999
- Departed: 0H0
- Destination: 0H0
- Airport: 0H0, Robinson Rla, runway 9, 2,100 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 702 total, 316 in this make and model, 614 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 17 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPI, 20 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 19990813012119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990813012119A), Aug 13, 1999: Cessna 172G, Glenarm, IL, Substantial damage. Acft was departing private landing strip downwind, wingtip contacted tall corn and flipped over on its back. (.19) on August 13, 1999, at 0910 central daylight…

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.

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