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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 4, 1997 · Cessna 172P · N53359

Austin, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Austin, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N53359
Operator
David Shaw
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA175

During a short field landing approach at 60 mph airspeed and full flaps as 'gusty winds lifted the left wing and the airplane rolled left,' the pilot applied full power; however, the airplane struck the ground. Winds were from the northeast at 6 to 8 knots and the approach was made to runway 36. A pilot, taxiing for departure, reported the airplane 'stalled striking the ground in a nose down and left wing down attitude' short of the runway. This pilot reported winds were light and variable at less than 5 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On May 4, 1997, at 0820 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N53359, owned by a private owner and operated by Adventure Aviation under Title 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during the final approach at Austin Executive Airpark, Austin, Texas. The private pilot and sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and a flight plan was not filed for the flight which departed from the airport 5 minutes before the accident. Telephone interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, revealed that the pilot departed the airport for a series of touch and goes on runway 36 with the winds from the northeast at 6 to 8 knots. According to the pilot, the winds were variable during the downwind pattern (1,600 feet MSL). The first approach was a short field landing at 60 mph airspeed with full flaps extended on short final at 25 feet AGL. The pilot stated that "gusty winds lifted the left wing and the airplane rolled left." The pilot applied full power; however, the left wing struck the ground, the airplane bounced, the right wing hit the ground and the nose gear collapsed as the airplane slid to a stop in the mud at 50 to 100 feet left of runway 36. A pilot, taxiing to runway 36, first observed N53359 on final approach at approximately 100 feet AGL in a nose high attitude. He further observed that at 20 to 25 feet AGL, the airplane "stalled striking the ground in a nose down and left wing down attitude" short of the runway, the airplane bounced, and the right wing struck the ground before the airplane came to rest. This pilot reported the winds were light and variable at less than 5 knots. The FAA inspector examined the airplane and found that both wings were bent upward and the right wing was damaged at the rear attachment point. The lower skin area of the wings, cabin, and engine cowling was buckled upward and the outboard portion of the right aileron was bent.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:20 CDT
Nearest AirportAustin Executive Airpark (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN53359
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid Shaw
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-329-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data