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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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January 2, 2019 · Cessna 172 M · N12181

Appleton, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 2, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Appleton, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 172 M (1973)
Tail Number
N12181
Operator
Wild River Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA19CA118

The student pilot reported that, during a solo cross-country flight, he flew over the airport to assess the runway conditions. He saw that the windsock indicated that he would be landing with a right crosswind, and he determined that the runway was suitable for landing. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered ice on the runway and drifted left. He added power to abort the landing, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with runway lighting. He pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane climbed momentarily, but the airplane did not have enough airspeed to sustain flight. The airplane touched down on the left side of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing strut. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student reported that the wind during the landing was from 180° at 10 knots with no gusts. He landed the airplane on runway 13.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot’s loss of directional control while landing on an ice-covered runway, which resulted in a loss of directional control, and his failure to attain sufficient airspeed during a subsequent aborted landing, which resulted in a nose-over.

Full Narrative

The student pilot reported that during a cross-country solo flight, he over flew the airport to assess the runway conditions. He observed that the windsock indicated that he would be landing with a crosswind from the right, and he determined that the runway was suitable for landing. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered ice on the runway and drifted to the left. He added power to abort the landing, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with runway lighting. He pulled back on the yoke and the airplane climbed momentarily, but the airplane did not have enough airspeed to sustain flight. The airplane touched down on the left side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported that the wind during landing was from 180° at 10 knots with no gusts. He landed on runway 13. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing strut. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 CST
Nearest AirportAppleton Muni (0nm E)
Runway13
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 M
Tail NumberN12181
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWild River Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point5 C / -2 C
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time17:30
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data