Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172 near Grand Canyon, AZ — 2019-07-16

Final reportGAA19CA424
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Date
2019-07-16
Location
Grand Canyon, AZ, USA
Airport
GCN
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N1079M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach to land, he corrected for a left crosswind. After crossing the threshold, he reduced power and as the airplane was about to touch down, it "rolled" left, and the left wing struck the runway. He added that the airplane immediately "righted itself" and that he then landed it. 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. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 36 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 24 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 210° at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots, with a peak wind reported 3 minutes after the accident from 220° at 27 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 21.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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