N809SP

On September 6, 2004, at 0915 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N809SP, was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway during landing at the Morrow County Airport (4I9), Mount Gilead, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The flight originated at the Delaware Municipal Airport, Delaware, Ohio, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, while on final approach to runway 10, the airplane encountered moderate turbulence and he noted that the windsock was perpendicular to the runway. As the pilot attempted to flare the airplane, a crosswind forced the left wing down, and it struck the runway. The airplane yawed to the right, and then to the left, and the pilot applied full power in an attempt to "regain altitude." The airplane then veered to the left, and impacted the ground about 20 feet from a building.

A witness observed the airplane on final approach with its left wing down and right wing up. The witness stated that the airplane flew in that attitude for a moment and then the left wing impacted the ground, turning the airplane in a north-northeast direction. The witness observed the airplane "struggling to get off the ground," and then moved out of sight of the witness.

The winds reported at the Marion Municipal Airport, Marion, Ohio, about 11 miles to the northwest, at 0853, were from 160 degrees at 10 knots. At 0953, the winds were reported from 150 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 19 knots.