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March 22, 1996 · Cessna 172M · N73356

Fredericksburg, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 22, 1996
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Fredericksburg, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N73356
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW96LA152

The pilot of a Cessna 172M was landing on runway 14 in winds that reportedly were from 150 to 160 degrees at 14 gusting 20 knots. According to the pilot of another airplane, the Cessna pilot's approach was 'too low, shallow, and slow.' The witness further reported that he didn't think the airplane 'would reach the runway,' and as it reached the runway, it began 'to rock indicating he was about to stall.' The pilot stated in his report that he advanced full throttle and initiated a go-around to abort the landing. He reported that the stall horn 'went off momentarily and the plane dropped hard on the right wheel and bounced back up in the air.' The pilot further stated that during the ensuing attempted go-around, 'the stall horn began to sound again.' The aircraft impacted the ground, and a postimpact fire erupted and destroyed the airplane. The pilot had flown 2.4 hours in the last 90 days.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach and go-around, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: the high, gusty, crosswind conditions, and the pilot's lack of recent experience.

Full Narrative

On March 22, 1996, at 1247 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N73356, registered to Wright Flyers Inc., and operated by Wright Flyers Aviation Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed following a loss of control during landing near Fredericksburg, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that originated at San Antonio International Airport near San Antonio, Texas, approximately 52 minutes before the accident. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight. According to a pilot who witnessed the landing on runway 14, "his approach was too low, shallow, and slow." The witness further reported that he didn't think the aircraft "would reach the runway", and as the aircraft did reach the runway it was beginning "to rock indicating he was about to stall." The pilot stated in his report, that he advanced full throttle and "initiated a go around to abort the landing." He reported that the stall horn "went off momentarily and the plane dropped hard on the right wheel and bounced back up in the air." The winds, at the time of the accident, were reported between 150 and 160 degrees, at 14 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The temperature was 75 degrees. The pilot further stated that during the ensuing attempted go-around, "the stall horn began to sound again." The aircraft impacted the ground, and a post-impact fire destroyed the airplane. The pilot reported on his Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that he had a total of 94.9 hours of flight experience and 2.4 hours during the last 90 days. He further stated that this was a "pleasure flight."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:47 CST
Nearest AirportGillespie County (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length3787 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN73356
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 14 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data