Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Clarion, IA — 2024-02-26

Final reportCEN24LA123
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Date
2024-02-26
Location
Clarion, IA, USA
Airport
CAV
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N35719
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare in a crosswind with gusts.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during landing at the destination airport, with the left and right main landing gear on the runway and the nose wheel elevated for the flare, she felt a gust of wind that “push[ed] the airplane suddenly to the right.” The pilot attempted to perform a go-around, however the airplane bounced twice, exited the runway to the right, impacted a dirt field, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 31 with wind 270° at 23 knots, and with gusts from 30 to 35 knots. The pilot further reported that the accident could have been prevented by having “better situational awareness” of the wind conditions at the destination airport.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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