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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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February 8, 2003 · Cessna 172N · N734KU

Mcminnville, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 8, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mcminnville, OR
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N734KU
Operator
Starks Twin Oaks
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA03LA036

The pilot, who was landing in gusty crosswinds, had already made one landing and was on the landing roll of his second when he encountered crosswinds that lifted the aircraft's left wing in the air. At the same time as the wing was being lifted, the aircraft started drifting toward the right side of the runway. As the pilot attempted to get the wing down using aileron deflection, and tried to get the aircraft heading straight down the runway, it felt to him like the aircraft was going to cartwheel. He therefore decided to let the aircraft go off the side of the runway in the direction it was headed. After departing the runway, the aircraft encountered soft terrain, whereupon the nose gear dug in and the aircraft nosed over. According to the pilot, except for a minor nose wheel shimmy, there did not seem to be any problems with the aircraft's controls.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include gusty crosswinds and soft terrain in the area where the aircraft departed the side of the runway.

Full Narrative

On February 8, 2003, approximately 1300 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N734KU, nosed over during the landing roll at McMinnville Municipal Airport, McMinnville, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by Starks Twin Oaks Airpark, Inc., sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which was being conducted in the VFR pattern at McMinnville, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, who was landing in gusty crosswinds, he had already made one landing and was on the landing roll of his second when he encountered crosswinds that lifted the aircraft's left wing in the air. At the same time as the wing was being lifted, the aircraft started drifting toward the right side of the runway. As the pilot attempted to get the wing down using aileron deflection, and tried to get the aircraft heading straight down the runway, it felt to him like the aircraft was going to cartwheel. He therefore decided to let the aircraft go off the side of the runway in the direction it was headed. After departing the runway, the aircraft encountered soft terrain, whereupon the nose gear dug in and the aircraft nosed over. According to the pilot, except for a minor nose wheel shimmy, there did not seem to be any problems with the aircraft's controls.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 PST
Nearest AirportMcminnville Municipal (0nm)
Runway04
Runway Length5420 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN734KU
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStarks Twin Oaks
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 7 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data