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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 16, 1997 · Cessna 172M · N80814

San Antonio, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 16, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
San Antonio, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N80814
Operator
Wright Flyers
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA104

The private pilot had not flown for over a year, so he elected to rent an airplane and fly to a nearby airport to practice takeoffs and landings. The pilot reported that while on his fifth approach to a full stop landing on runway 14, 'he found himself high for landing and allowed his airspeed to get too slow after he configured the airplane with full flaps.' According to the pilot: 'a gust of wind flipped the right wing upward, sending the airplane into a diving turn to the left.' The left wing separated from the airframe after the airplane impacted the door of a hangar located on the east side of the runway. The winds at the time of the accident were reported as calm. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction and stated that he did not hear the sound of the stall warning horn.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience.

Full Narrative

On February 16, 1997, at 1239 central standard time, a Cessna 172M was substantially damaged following a lost of control while landing near San Antonio, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by Wright Flyers Inc., of San Antonio, Texas, on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the San Antonio International Airport, at approximately 1130. According to the pilot, "he had not flown for over a year, so he elected to rent an airplane and fly to the Stinson Municipal Airport to practice some takeoffs and landings." The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that while on his fifth approach to a full stop landing on runway 14, "he found himself high for landing and allowed his airspeed to get too slow after he configured the airplane with full flaps." The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions and stated that he did not hear the sound of the stall warning horn. On the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that "a gust of wind flipped the right wing upward, sending the airplane into a diving turn to the left." The left wing separated from the airframe after the airplane impacted the door of a hangar located on the east side of the runway. The hangar sustained minor damage and a cowling on the airplane parked in the hangar was damaged. The private pilot, who received his private pilot certificate in 1973, had accumulated a total of 157 hours. His last flight, which was also his last BFR, was performed on February 25, 1996.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:39 CST
Nearest AirportStinson Municipal (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length4128 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN80814
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWright Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:39
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data