Loss of Control in Flight: Cessna 172P Skyhawk, N291RP; accident occurred February 26, 2020 at Everglades Airpark (X01), Everglades City, Collier County, Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miramar, Florida

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N291RP

Location: Everglades City, Florida

Accident Number: ERA20CA114

Date & Time: February 26, 2020, 13:55 Local

Registration: N291RP

Aircraft: Cessna 172 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control in flight

Injuries: 4 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

According to the pilot, while on final approach to the runway and about 3 to 4 ft above ground level, the airplane encountered a "strong gust cross wind" from the right, which resulted in the left wing striking the runway and sustaining substantial damage. The pilot reduced engine power and landed the airplane without further incident. 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 maintain airplane control during the landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in the left wing striking the runway.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Aircraft (general) - Not attained/maintained

Environmental issues Gusts - Effect on operation

Environmental issues Crosswind - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-VFR pattern final Other weather encounter

Landing-flare/touchdown Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Landing-flare/touchdown Dragged wing/rotor/float/other

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Private Age: 59,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter Restraint Used: 3-point

Instrument Rating(s): None 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam:

Occupational Pilot: Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: November 23, 2019

Flight Time: 7498 hours (Total, all aircraft), 256 hours (Total, this make and model), 143 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 55 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna

Registration: N291RP

Model/Series: 172 P 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1981 

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: 17274327

Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 

Seats: 4

Date/Type of Last Inspection: November 28, 2019 100 hour 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2400 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 11202.7 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming

ELT: C126 installed, not activated

Engine Model/Series: O-320-D2J

Registered Owner:

Rated Power: 160 Horsepower

Operator: On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: MKY, 5 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 13:56 Local 

Direction from Accident Site: 300°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 1400 ft AGL 

Visibility 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 8500 ft AGL 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 13 knots / 17 knots 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 190° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point:

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Miami, FL (TMB)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Everglades City, FL (X01)

Type of Clearance: VFR

Departure Time: 12:30 Local 

Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: Everglades Airpark X01

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 5 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 15

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 2400 ft / 50 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 3 None 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 4 None

Latitude, Longitude: 25.849166,-81.390556(est)