Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ANC95LA085

DELTA JUNCTION, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N4804E

CESSNA 172

Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS IN GROUND EFFECT WHEN A GUST OF WIND HIT THE AIRPLANE AND IT STARTED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. HE CORRECTED BUT STATED HE OVER REACTED AND LOST CONTROL. THE PILOT STATED THE WIND WAS FROM 150 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS. HE WAS LANDING THE AIRPLANE ON RUNWAY 14. THE AIRPLANE DRAGGED ITS RIGHT WING AND NOSED DOWN.

Factual Information

On June 26, 1995, at 2250 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N4804E, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed down and dragged the right wing during the landing roll at the Black Rapids Airport, Alaska. The Black Rapids Airport is located 30 miles south of Delta Junction, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Tok, Alaska, and the destination was the accident site. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The private certificated pilot and the 3 passengers were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage. According to the pilot, the wind was from 150 degrees at 12 knots and he did not notice any wind gusts during his approach. After traveling down the runway in ground effect for a distance of 100 feet, the pilot stated that a wind gust hit the aircraft and at that moment there was no power applied to the engine. The aircraft started to roll to the left. The pilot stated he believes he overreacted to correct the roll and he lost control of the airplane. During a telephone interview with the pilot, conducted on June 28, 1995, the pilot stated the accident occurred on June 26, 1995.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN DRAGGING THE RIGHT WING AND SHEARING OFF THE NOSE GEAR.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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