N3743R

On July 24, 1998, at 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 172H airplane, N3743R, collided with trees following a loss of control during landing at the Commerce Municipal Airport in Commerce, Texas. The airplane, which was registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight that departed from Greenville, Texas, approximately 0915.

According to the 308-hour pilot, he was performing his ninth touch and go landing on runway 18 with wind from 240 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 20 knots. The airplane touched down and "bounced, wind got under right wing, tilted [the airplane], touching left wing tip to runway and turning [the airplane] about 70 degrees to left." The pilot applied full power to go around; however, he "could not gain enough airspeed or altitude to clear tree line on east side of airport" and elected to reduce power and land the airplane. During the ground roll, the airplane collided with the trees.

According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane, the leading edge of the left wing was crushed aft in several places, and the left wing tip was separated. The leading edge of the right wing was dented, and the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was crushed aft.