Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC96LA092

PITTSFIELD, MA, USA

Aircraft #1

N7002M

Cessna 175

Analysis

The pilot was practicing crosswind landings to runway 26. He was making a full-stop landing after two touch-and-go landings. During the landing roll, as the airplane was decelerating, the left wing lifted and the right wing struck the runway. The pilot reported that the winds were from 160 to 200 degrees at 8 to 10 knots, with gusts to 20 knots. He stated '...a gust of wind caught the left wing and tipped the aircraft....'

Factual Information

On April 20, about 1415 eastern standard time, a Cessna 175, N7002M, was substantially damaged when it collided with the runway during the landing roll at Pittsfield Municipal, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The private pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed at 1100. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview with the pilot, the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice crosswind landings. The wing low method was used to compensate for the left crosswind. During the third landing, as the airplane was decelerating in the landing roll, the left wing started to lift. The left wing continued to lift until the right wing struck the runway. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated: Airplane was landed on runway 26 and was rolling out. Winds were 160 [to] 200 [degrees] at 8 [to] 10 knots. . . . As the airplane rolled out, a gust of wind caught the left wing and tipped the aircraft. The aircraft turned to the left approximately 70 degrees. The right wing struck the runway and turned back to the right approximately 120 degrees. Additionally, the pilot reported that the winds were gusting to 20 knots. Post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the right wing spar was damaged No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were found with the airplane, nor did the pilot report any.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's inadequate crosswind compensations during the landing roll.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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