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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 15, 1985 · Cessna 172N · N3421E

Crystal Lake, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 15, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Crystal Lake, IL
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N3421E
Operator
Metro Aero
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI85LA136

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AS HE LOWERED THE NOSEWHEEL TO THE RWY DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. AS THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY, IT ENTERED SOFT TERRAIN WHICH PULLED THE ACFT FURTHER TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR HIT A DIRT & SNOW BANK, THEN THE ACFT NOSED OVER. ABOUT 17 MI SOUTH AT CRYSTAL LAKE, THE WIND WAS FROM 200 DEG AT 6 KTS. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND DURING AN EXAM OF THE BRAKES & STEERING SYS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AS HE LOWERED THE NOSEWHEEL TO THE RWY DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. AS THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY, IT ENTERED SOFT TERRAIN WHICH PULLED THE ACFT FURTHER TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR HIT A DIRT & SNOW BANK, THEN THE ACFT NOSED OVER. ABOUT 17 MI SOUTH AT CRYSTAL LAKE, THE WIND WAS FROM 200 DEG AT 6 KTS. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND DURING AN EXAM OF THE BRAKES & STEERING SYS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 CST
Nearest AirportLake In The Hills (0nm N)
Runway26
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN3421E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMetro Aero
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data