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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 2, 2002 · Cessna 172L · N4261Q

Dalhart, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 2, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Dalhart, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172L
Tail Number
N4261Q
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA171

The pilot obtained a standard weather briefing which included VFR conditions for the intended route of flight. En route, he observed a developing squall line intersecting the intended route, and he made a decision to divert and land the airplane. Following the "normal touchdown" on the runway, an "extremely strong wind burst accompanied by rain pushed" the airplane onto grass off the left side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane struck a ditch running perpendicular to the runway before coming to rest nosed over. At the approximate time of the accident, the wind was from 340 degrees at 14 knots with gusts to 30 knots, visibility 2 1/2 statue miles, with heavy thunderstorms and rain showers, and a wind shift with peak gust at 44 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the shifting gusty winds and the ditch.

Full Narrative

On June 2, 2002, at 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 172L, single-engine airplane, N4261Q, was substantially damage when it struck a ditch following a loss of control while landing on runway 17 at the Dalhart Municipal Airport, near Dalhart, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by Advantage Air Flight Service, Inc., of Flagstaff, Arizona, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The personal flight departed Liberal, Kansas, at 1615, with a planned destination of Albuquerque, New Mexico. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that prior to his departure from Liberal, he obtained a standard weather briefing which included VFR conditions along his intended route of flight. En route, he was not able to establish radio contact with the flight service station for further weather updates. Due to the developing squall line intersecting the intended route, the pilot elected to divert to Dalhart and land the airplane. The 118-hour pilot reported a "normal touchdown" on runway 17, and then an "extremely strong wind burst accompanied by rain pushed" the airplane onto the grass off the left side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane struck a ditch running perpendicular to runway 17 and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. Runway 17, at the Dalhart Municipal Airport, is 6,400 feet long and 75 feet wide. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported structural damage at the engine firewall, the left wing, and the fuselage. The propeller, nose landing gear, and gear box were also damaged. At 1753, the Dalhart Municipal Airport was reporting the wind from 340 degrees at 14 knots with gusts to 30 knots, visibility 2 1/2 statue miles, with heavy thunderstorms and rain showers, and a wind shift with peak gust at 44 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest AirportDalhart Municipal (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length6400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172L
Tail NumberN4261Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 14 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility2.5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data