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Atlas / NTSB / CHI03LA129

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event CHI03LA129

2003-05-18 Freeport, Illinois, United States Airport · FEP Minor 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.

Factual narrative

On May 18, 2003, at 1400 central daylight time (CDT), a Cessna 150M, N2842V, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a fence while on final approach to runway 13 (2,285 by 150 feet, turf) at Albertus Airport (FEP), Freeport, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and his passenger reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight departed at 1245. The pilot reported entering a final approach for the runway with a slight crosswind. The pilot stated, "everything seemed to be going well until a large impact was felt and the plane came to a sudden stop." A witness noted the airplane was descending slowly at a very steep angle when it impacted the fence. The airplane impacted a fence short of the runway. The pilot reported no problems with the airplane or the engine prior to the accident. The airplane impacted a fence while on approach to land. The pilot reported everything was normal until the airplane came to a sudden stop. A witness reported the airplane was descending slowly at a steep angle when it impacted the fence. The pilot reported no problems with the airplane or the engine prior to the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2003_CHI03LA129.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.