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December 21, 2008 · Cessna 172 N · N6621D

Corning, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Corning, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 172 N
Tail Number
N6621D
Operator
Costa Flying Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09CA103

During a training flight to practice crosswind takeoffs and landings, with gusty wind conditions on runway 32, a gust of wind lifted the left wing of the airplane during the landing flare. The student pilot inadvertently applied right aileron and the right wing contacted the runway surface, resulting in damage to the right wing and aileron. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) then assumed control and the airplane drifted right of the runway and gained approximately 10 feet of altitude. The throttle control was bent about 45 degrees by the student during the abnormal runway contact, which prevented the CFI from performing an aborted landing maneuver. The damage to the right aileron also prevented the CFI from returning to the runway surface. The airplane landed in the snow next to the runway and neither pilot was injured. The accident airport did not have weather reporting capability; however, airports with weather observations in the local area at the time of the accident recorded winds generally from 250 to 290 degrees at 15 knots with a peak gust of 25 knots. The CFI reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident were the gusty wind conditions and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

During a training flight to practice crosswind takeoffs and landings, with gusty wind conditions on runway 32, a gust of wind lifted the left wing of the Cessna 172N during the landing flare. The student pilot inadvertently applied right aileron and the right wing contacted the runway surface, resulting in damage to the right wing and aileron. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) then assumed control, and the airplane drifted right of the runway and gained approximately 10 feet of altitude. The throttle control was bent about 45 degrees by the student during the abnormal runway contact, which prevented the CFI from performing an aborted landing maneuver. The damage to the right aileron also prevented the CFI from returning to the runway surface. The airplane landed in the snow next to the runway and neither pilot was injured. The accident airport did not have weather reporting capability; however, airports with weather observations in the local area at the time of the accident, recorded winds generally from 250 to 290 degrees at 15 knots with a peak gust of 25 knots. The CFI reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EST
Nearest AirportCorning-Painted Post Airport (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length3270 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 N
Tail NumberN6621D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCosta Flying Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 75 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 16 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 10 C
Altimeter29.54 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data