Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI94LA325

WEST CHICAGO, IL, USA

Aircraft #1

N616SF

CESSNA 172RG

Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING A PRECISION APPROACH THE STUDENT REDUCED THE POWER AND THE DESCENT RATE INCREASED. THE STUDENT ABRUPTLY ADDED POWER. THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP AND STALLED ON SHORT FINAL. POWER WAS ADDED BY THE STUDENT, BUT TOO LATE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE RUNWAY.

Factual Information

On September 13, 1994, at 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N616SF, registered to Planemaster Services, Inc. of West Chicago, Illinois, and operated by a commercial flight instructor and a commercial student, departed controlled flight on short final to a landing on runway 15 (3,401' X 100' dry/asphalt) at DuPage Airport, West Chicago, Illinois, and impacted on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The instructor pilot and student reported no injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed West Chicago, Illinois, at 1515. The student said that he was making a power off approach in accordance with the flight instructor's instructions. He stated as he came closer to touchdown he asked the instructor if he could add power, but did not receive an answer. He stated that he then "pushed the throttle forward and pitched up." He said at that point the instructor said, "Don't stall." But the airplane sank "too fast for me to react." The instructor stated that he was giving the student instruction in a "precision approach." He stated that when the student thought they were too high, "... he cut the power increasing the descent rate. He flared abruptly at approximately 20 feet above runway putting aircraft in a stall. He added power at this point, but it was too late... ."

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot-in-command (CFI)'s inadequate supervision. Factors were the abrupt flare by the dual student.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports