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NTSB Report
October 12, 1989 · Beech C23 · N9157S
Rock Falls, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Rock Falls, IL
Aircraft
Beech C23
Tail Number
N9157S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI90LA008
STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS FIRST CROSS COUNTRY SOLO, AND SET UP APPROACH IN TRAFFIC PATTERN AT DESTINATION AIRPORT UTILIZING VASI ON FINAL APPROACH. STUDENT STATED AIRCRAFT HIT THE RUNWAY HARD AND BOUNCED. ON SECOND GROUND CONTACT, PROP HIT RUNWAY. ON THIRD GROUND CONTACT, NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP. COCKPIT STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE, STUDENT EXITED AIRCRAFT UNINJURED. STUDENT NOTICED FIRE UNDER AIRCRAFT BEING FED BY STREAM OF FUEL FROM RIGHT WING TANK SUMP DRAIN. AIRCRAFT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE BEFORE IT COULD BE EXTINGUISHED.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.
Full Narrative
STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS FIRST CROSS COUNTRY SOLO, AND SET UP APPROACH IN TRAFFIC PATTERN AT DESTINATION AIRPORT UTILIZING VASI ON FINAL APPROACH. STUDENT STATED AIRCRAFT HIT THE RUNWAY HARD AND BOUNCED. ON SECOND GROUND CONTACT, PROP HIT RUNWAY. ON THIRD GROUND CONTACT, NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP. COCKPIT STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE, STUDENT EXITED AIRCRAFT UNINJURED. STUDENT NOTICED FIRE UNDER AIRCRAFT BEING FED BY STREAM OF FUEL FROM RIGHT WING TANK SUMP DRAIN. AIRCRAFT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE BEFORE IT COULD BE EXTINGUISHED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:40 CDT
Nearest AirportWhiteside Cty (0nm N)
Runway7
Runway Length6500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech C23
Tail NumberN9157S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4K · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 3 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:52
Weather SourceWFAC