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NTSB Report

May 22, 1983 · Cessna 172P · N53700

Joliet, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 22, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Joliet, IL
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N53700
Operator
Wing It
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI83FA224

THE ACFT MADE A HARD LANDING AND NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER ENGINE FAILURE ON THE BASE LEG. THE FLT WAS ONTHE BASE LEG WITH POWER AT IDLE AND CARBURETOR HEAT ON WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS SO TROUBLED BY GUSTS ON THE FINAL APPROACH HE ABANDONED RESTART ATTEMPTS. ACCORDINGTO HIM A GUST THAT STOPPED LEFT HIM AT 10 FT AGL DURING FLARE. HE ALSO SAID THE MUDDY FIELD THAT WAS FRESHLY PLOWED CAUSED THE NOSE OVER. PICTURES, A WITNESS AND THE INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE STATE THE FIELD WAS NOT MUDDY. GROUND VEHICLEDROVE TO THE SCENE WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. GROUND SCARS IN THIS UNPLOWED FIELD SHOW EVIDENCE OF A NOSE WHEEL ONLY FIRST GROUND CONTACT. THE FLAPS WERE AT 10 DEGREES. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 90 PERCENT WITH TEMPERATURE AT 61 DEGREES F AND DEW POINT AT 58 DEGREESF. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CURVES THIS IS IN THE SERIOUS ICING RANGE FOR GLIDE AND CRUISE POWER.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT MADE A HARD LANDING AND NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER ENGINE FAILURE ON THE BASE LEG. THE FLT WAS ONTHE BASE LEG WITH POWER AT IDLE AND CARBURETOR HEAT ON WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS SO TROUBLED BY GUSTS ON THE FINAL APPROACH HE ABANDONED RESTART ATTEMPTS. ACCORDINGTO HIM A GUST THAT STOPPED LEFT HIM AT 10 FT AGL DURING FLARE. HE ALSO SAID THE MUDDY FIELD THAT WAS FRESHLY PLOWED CAUSED THE NOSE OVER. PICTURES, A WITNESS AND THE INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE STATE THE FIELD WAS NOT MUDDY. GROUND VEHICLEDROVE TO THE SCENE WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. GROUND SCARS IN THIS UNPLOWED FIELD SHOW EVIDENCE OF A NOSE WHEEL ONLY FIRST GROUND CONTACT. THE FLAPS WERE AT 10 DEGREES. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 90 PERCENT WITH TEMPERATURE AT 61 DEGREES F AND DEW POINT AT 58 DEGREESF. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CURVES THIS IS IN THE SERIOUS ICING RANGE FOR GLIDE AND CRUISE POWER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CDT
Nearest AirportWILHELMI (0nm E)
Runway27
Runway Length2546 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN53700
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWing It
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 9 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data