N519PU

On June 16, 1998, at 1400 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172RG, N519PU, ran off the left side of the runway on landing at the San Manuel, Arizona, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the certified flight instructor and dual student, the sole occupants, were not injured. The instructional flight originated at the Scottsdale, Arizona, airport, about 1300. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The certified flight instructor reported that the winds were from 090 degrees at a velocity of 10 to 15 knots, with gusts from 20 to 25 knots. The student initiated an approach to runway 11. The flight instructor reported that during the landing flare, the wind direction and speed changed to a right quartering tailwind. The student applied opposite aileron and rudder to prevent the left drift. The flight instructor then took over the controls and initiated a go-around. The aircraft did not gain lift and the aircraft veered off the runway into an area of high vegetation. The propeller struck the bushes and the nose gear broke off. The aircraft came to rest on the main landing gear.

The flight instructor reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident.

The accident was reported to the Safety Board on July 5, 1998.