N2027E

On June 22, 1995, at 1720 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 172, N2027E, registered to the St. Cloud University of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with the clearway to runway 13 at the St. Cloud Municipal Airport, St. Cloud, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passengers reported no injuries. The flight departed St. Cloud, Minnesota, at 1645 cdt.

According to the pilot's written statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he checked the weather radar before his departure. He said he did not observe any "...signs of weather before the flight, and the clouds were scattered... ."

The pilot continues with his statement: "I proceeded to the final [approach]. There was still no turbulence and no sign of a thunderstorm. Halfway through final when I was committed to landing I saw rain coming down the runway. I worked through the wind and rain when suddenly a strong gust came from the right causing the aircraft to loose ground speed." The pilot said his ground speed reduced to zero during the gust encounter. He said he landed short of the runway after realizing the airplane would not be able to land on the runway. After landing, the pilot said a strong gust of wind picked the airplane up and turned it on its left wing tip.

The FAA aviation weather sequence reports for the St. Cloud Municipal Airport stated: 1656 CDT, Clear below 12,000 feet, 7 miles visibility with a thunderstorm, ....thunderstorm south moving north, thunderstorm began at 52 minutes past the hour. At 1704 CDT a special sequence report was issued. It stated, scattered clouds at 400, 5,000 and 7,000 feet, 3/4 mile visibility with a thunderstorm and light rain showers.... surface winds 220 degrees at 21 knots gusting to 56 knots.