Cessna 182 accident near Downers Grove, Illinois, November 16, 2008
On November 16, 2008 at about 5:02 am local time, a Cessna 182, registered N759HF, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Downers Grove, Illinois (Brookeridge Air Park airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on final approach in night conditions, due to his impairment from recent use of alcohol, cocaine, and over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 16, 2008 · about 5:02 am local time
- Place
- Downers Grove, Illinois · Brookeridge Air Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 Q · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N759HF · no longer on the register · serial 18266001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane contacted trees while on final approach to land at night in a residential airpark. The pilot reported that he adjusted the flaps and attempted to add power when he realized that he was too low, but it was too late. Local authorities located the pilot at his residence following the accident. Toxicology testing of blood and urine specimens obtained from the pilot after the accident was consistent with impairment due to recent use of alcohol, cocaine, an over-the-counter antihistamine (diphenhydramine), and two different prescription medications (alprazolam and hydrocodone). Testing results were also consistent with the typical regular use of a prescription antidepressant.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Alcohol › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Prescription medication › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Awareness of condition
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 262 hours in all; 203 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 209 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 17, 2004
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C59 Delavan WI
- Destination: LL22 Downers Grove IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:52 am from DPA, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.