DEKALB, IL, USA
N6542J
Cessna 172
A student pilot and a flight instructor (CFI) were practicing crosswind takeoffs and landings. The student misjudged a landing flare, and the airplane bounced during touchdown. The student added power to abort the landing, but directional control of the airplane was not maintained. The airplane traveled off the left side of the runway into a grass area. The CFI stated he reduced the power as the airplane rolled off the runway into the grass. However, the airplane's right wing contacted a pole located 85 to 100 feet from the runway. The airplane then traveled an additional 500 feet before coming to a stop.
On April 21, 1996, at 1345 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N6542J, operated by American Flyers collided with a pole following a loss of directional control while landing at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, DeKalb, Illinois. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. Neither the certificated flight instructor (CFI) nor the student pilot reported any injuries. The flight originated from West Chicago, Illinois, at 1315. The CFI stated the purpose of the flight was to practice crosswind takeoffs and landings. He stated that the local winds were from 140 degrees at 13 knots and the landing was being made on runway 09 (4,199' x 50'). He reported that the student flared the airplane too high and the airplane landed hard, bouncing on the runway. He stated that while airborne after the bounce, the student applied full power to initiate an aborted landing; however, the nose of the airplane was pointed toward the left side of the runway. He stated he pulled the throttle to idle and the airplane rolled off the side of the runway into the grass. The right wing of the airplane contacted a pole which was located 85' to 100' off the side of the runway. The airplane traveled an additional 500' past the pole prior to coming to a stop. Damage to the right wing consisted of leading edge skin. Two wing ribs were also damaged.
The flight instructor's inadequate supervision, and his delay in taking remedial action to regain directional control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the student's improper flare for landing, improper recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane; and the proximity of a pole to the runway.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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