Summary
On October 08, 2017, a Cessna 172 (N9664Q) was involved in an incident near Black River Falls, WI. 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 gusting crosswind conditions.
The pilot reported that, during landing in a gusting crosswind, the airplane landed on the left wheel first. He added that "all of a sudden it was like a huge gust of wind took the plane and just threw it to the right". The propeller struck the runway; the airplane exited the runway to the right and came to rest inverted.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 9 knots, gusting 17 knots.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA005. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9664Q.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during landing in a gusting crosswind, the airplane landed on the left wheel first. He added that "all of a sudden it was like a huge gust of wind took the plane and just threw it to the right". The propeller struck the runway; the airplane exited the runway to the right and came to rest inverted.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 9 knots, gusting 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 26.
The pilot's operating handbook contains a section titled "Crosswind Landing". It stated in part:
"The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability rather than aircraft limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswinds of 15 knots can be handled with safety."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA005