N8137S

On July 31, 2002, at 2215 central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N8137S, owned and piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage during landing on runway 09 (2,400 feet by 75 feet, turf) at Ben Emge Airport (2IL7), Belleville, Illinois. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed from the Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS), St. Louis, Missouri, at 2130, en route to 2IL7.

The pilot stated that he departed 2IL7 approximately 2030 and performed two landings at SUS. At 2115, he departed SUS to return to 2IL7 where he activated the airport lighting. He made a low pass over runway 09 to determine crosswind conditions after listening to the St. Louis Downtown (CPS) automated surface observing system (ASOS). According to the pilot, the CPS ASOS reported winds from 180 degrees at less than 8 knots. The pilot then flew a normal traffic pattern to land on runway 09. During the landing flare, the pilot compensated for a slight crosswind from the south with application of right aileron and left rudder. As the airplane touched down, the right wing contacted the runway, the pilot applied left rudder, and the airplane veered into a corn crop growing adjacent to the runway.

Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no anomalies.

The CPS ASOS recorded, at 2153, winds from 160 degrees at 3 knots.

The pilot received a private pilot certificate on July 9, 2002.