Summary
On March 18, 2005, a Cessna 172N (N6372D) was involved in an incident near Rio Grande City, TX. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects, and his improper compensation for wind conditions while landing. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition.
On March 18, approximately 0845 central standard time, a Cessna 172N single-engine airplane, N6372D, was substantially damaged following an in-flight collision with an object while landing at a private airstrip near Rio Grande City, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the private airstrip at 0815.
This incident is documented in NTSB report DFW05CA091. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6372D.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects, and his improper compensation for wind conditions while landing. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 18, approximately 0845 central standard time, a Cessna 172N single-engine airplane, N6372D, was substantially damaged following an in-flight collision with an object while landing at a private airstrip near Rio Grande City, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the private airstrip at 0815.
During a telephone interview conducted by a representative of the NTSB, the 1,561-hour pilot reported that while on a visual approach for landing, the airplane encountered a gust of wind, and the airplane started to "sink." Subsequently, the right main landing gear struck the top of a fence post at the approach end of the 2,000-foot long dirt runway. The pilot stated that after the collision, he noticed that the right main landing gear was separated. As the pilot landed the airplane, it veered to the right off the runway and the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. The airplane came to rest upright adjacent to the runway in a right wing low attitude.
Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed the outboard tip of the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer were bent.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW05CA091