Piper PA-28-181 accident near Dixon, Illinois, June 2, 2008
On June 2, 2008 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-181, registered N2108N, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Dixon, Illinois (Dixon Municipal Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot improperly raised the flaps during the go-around, did not maintain airspeed, and stalled the airplane. The trees were a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 2008 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Dixon, Illinois · Dixon Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181 · all PA-28-181s on the register
- Registration
- N2108N · no longer on the register · serial 28-7990273
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The solo student pilot reported that there was a moderate crosswind when he was attempting to land so he executed a go-around. During the go-around, he raised the flaps. He reported that taking out 2 notches of flaps caused the airplane to lose too much altitude and "the plane stalled as I pulled back on the yoke." The airplane struck several trees and impacted the ground. He reported that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane.
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
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR go-around)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of policy/procedure › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Not specified
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 25 hours in all; 25 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C-73 Dixon IL
- Destination: Dixon IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.