N25JM

On November 15, 1996, at 1000 central standard time, a Cessna 170B, N25JM, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, was substantially damaged during landing near Manvel, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The flight originated from Houston, Texas, about 30 minutes before the accident.

According to the pilot, he was attempting to land the airplane on runway 20 with a gusty south crosswind. As he started the landing flare, "approximately one to two feet above the runway, a sudden left gust displaced the airplane to the right of the runway." A go-around was initiated. "While attempting to gain [a] greater airspeed, the airplane was displaced further to the right of the runway," struck a tree, and subsequently impacted a historical marker.

Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest 250 feet from the runway on a northerly heading. Both wings, wing struts, the fuselage, and landing gear were damaged. The left elevator was found separated from the horizontal stabilizer.

At 0949, 11 minutes prior to the accident, the winds at the Houston Hobby International Airport in Houston, Texas, were from 120 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots. Houston Hobby International Airport is 10 nautical miles from the accident site.