Summary
On June 26, 2015, a Cessna 172N (N3159E) was involved in an incident near Vernal, UT. 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 directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with an airport sign.
The pilot reported that during the landing roll he encountered a crosswind, the left wing lifted, and the airplane began to drift left of the centerline. He attempted to correct with the right rudder and brake but the airplane departed the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted an airport sign and came to rest on an adjacent runway.
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Substantial damage was found to the right elevator and firewall. The reported winds at the airport about the time of the accident were from 080 degrees true at 11 knots, which created a crosswind component of 2 knots for landing on runway 07.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA156. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3159E.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with an airport sign.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing roll he encountered a crosswind, the left wing lifted, and the airplane began to drift left of the centerline. He attempted to correct with the right rudder and brake but the airplane departed the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted an airport sign and came to rest on an adjacent runway.
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Substantial damage was found to the right elevator and firewall. The reported winds at the airport about the time of the accident were from 080 degrees true at 11 knots, which created a crosswind component of 2 knots for landing on runway 07.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA156