Peach Springs, AZ, USA
N35562
Cessna 172I
The pilot reported that he made a low pass to observe the airport's windsock prior to entering the pattern for a landing on runway 17. He observed that the wind was light and variable. At an altitude of about 20 feet above ground level on final approach, a wind gust "lifted the right wing" and "pushed the airplane approximately 10 feet off to the left of the runway." The pilot noted that the airplane's airspeed had decayed from about 65 to 70 knots down to 40 to 45 knots. He leveled the wings, added power, and attempted to regain airspeed. However, the airplane "lost all remaining lift" and the nose gear impacted a dirt berm. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
The pilot reported that he made a low pass to observe the windsock prior to entering the pattern for a landing on runway 17. He observed that the wind was light and variable. At an altitude of about 20 feet above ground level on final approach, a wind gust "lifted the right wing" and "pushed the airplane approximately 10 feet off to the left of the runway." The pilot noted that the airplane's airspeed had decayed from about 65 to 70 knots down to 40 to 45 knots. He leveled the wings, added power, and attempted to regain airspeed. However, the airplane "lost all remaining lift" and the nose gear impacted a dirt berm. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the gusty wind condition encountered on final approach, resulting in a loss of control and an in-flight collision with a dirt berm. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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