Cessna 172N, N1046F: Accident occurred January 26, 2018 at Whiskey Creek Airport (94E), Silver City, Grant County, New Mexico

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N1046F

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Location: Silver City, NM
Accident Number: GAA18CA112
Date & Time: 01/26/2018, 1000 MST
Registration: N1046F
Aircraft: CESSNA 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The student pilot reported that, while landing during a solo flight, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the right side of the runway and he was "unable to recover". The airplane landed hard, bounced, and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage.

The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located 8 nautical miles to the south-southeast from the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 280° at 12 knots, gusting 16 knots. The airplane landed on runway 35.

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 47, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/04/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 21 hours (Total, all aircraft), 21 hours (Total, this make and model), 8.6 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 8.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N1046F
Model/Series: 172 N
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17272937
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/04/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2307 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8212 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT:  Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-H2AD
Registered Owner: EASTERN AIRZONA WINGS LLC
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSVC, 5446 ft msl
Observation Time: 1655 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 164°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / -14°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 12 knots/ 16 knots, 280°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: SAFFORD, AZ (SAD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Silver City, NM (94E)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1030 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: WHISKEY CREEK (94E)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 6126 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 35
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5400 ft / 50 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  32.755556, -108.209722 (est)