N251SP

Substantial
None

CESSNA 172SPS/N: 172S8227

Accident Details

Date
Monday, September 1, 2008
NTSB Number
MIA08CA179
Location
South Harpswell, ME
Event ID
20081003X42126
Coordinates
43.779167, -70.012779
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusty winds.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N251SP
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
172S8227
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1999
Model / ICAO
172SPC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
CONVOLO LLC
Address
C/O ELLIOTT MEISEL
585 W END AVE
Status
Deregistered
City
NEW YORK
State / Zip Code
NY 10024
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that prior to landing he believed that he had a quartering head wind between 6 and 8 knots. Once over runway 14 at about 10 feet agl., "suddenly the wind shifted and we were lifted up and keeled over to the right. Once I leveled the wings I realized that we were quickly running out of runway." The pilot stated that he attempted a go-around; he put in full power and raised the flaps to 20 degrees. However, he did not have enough power or clearance to stay out of the trees. The pilot banked left to avoid the trees and "dropped" the airplane in a field between houses. The airplane hit the ground and then skidded to a stop into a tree. The reported weather conditions at Brunswick, Maine, at the time of the accident was visual meteorological conditions with winds at 340 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 27 knots. The pilot said he and the two passengers were out of the airplane in 15 seconds. Damage to the airplane consisted of the left wing and empennage. Emergency responders arrived within 5 minutes, but no one was injured. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA08CA179