Saturday, February 08, 2020

Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 172N Skyhawk, N739SB: Accident occurred December 23, 2019 at Pineville Municipal Airport (2L0), Rapides Parish, Louisiana

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 


Location: Pineville, Louisiana
Accident Number: CEN20CA040
Date & Time: December 23, 2019, 13:30 Local 
Registration: N739SB
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while on final approach, he listened to the automated weather broadcast at a local airport to confirm wind direction and speed. The broadcast weather indicated that there would be a left quartering headwind, and the wave direction on the surface of the lake surrounding the airport corroborated this information. The pilot stated that the wind was gusting, but he was able to touch down smoothly on the runway. The airplane encountered a "strong" wind gust from the right and then headed left toward a ditch. The pilot increased the throttle to conduct an aborted landing. The airplane gained altitude and avoided impacting the ditch; however, the wing struck a tree, and the airplane flipped over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to attain an adequate climb rate during an aborted landing with a left quartering, gusting headwind, which resulted in impact with a tree.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Climb rate - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Gusts - Effect on operation
Environmental issues Tree(s) - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Other weather encounter
Landing Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing-aborted after touchdown  Collision during takeoff/land

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private Age: 33, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
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: March 14, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: December 5, 2019
Flight Time: 62 hours (Total, all aircraft), 60 hours (Total, this make and model), 13 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N739SB
Model/Series: 172 N 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1978
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17270759
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: October 17, 2019 100 hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 12108.6 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-H2AD
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 160 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAEX,89 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:53 Local Direction from Accident Site: 255°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 19 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 310° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Pineville, LA (2L0) 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Pineville, LA (2L0)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 12:15 Local
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: PINEVILLE MUNI 2L0
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 100 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36 IFR
Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3000 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 31.342222,-92.443611(est)

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