N70397

On April 15, 1993, at about 1415 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N70397, collided with a fence during landing at Greenville, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the business flight. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, while the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Charlotte, North Carolina, at about 1300.

The pilot reported that he landed with the flaps fully extended. Wind conditions were gusty. The Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at Greenville, at 1420, indicated that the winds were from 150 degrees at 11 knots, with gusts to 22 knots. The pilot reported that he observed the wind sock during the entry to the landing pattern standing straight out, and favoring runway 23. On landing, the pilot said, the airplane ballooned up, was shifted laterally by the wind, and he lost directional control. The airplane ran through a perimeter fence and down a hill. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical malfunctions.

The Pilot's Operating Handbook for a like make and model airplane states that landings in strong crosswinds should be made with the minimum flaps required for the runway length. Runway 23 was 6,302 feet long.