# Accident 19991212047259A: Cessna 172N, Springhill, LA, December 12, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 12, 1999, 12:30 local time
- Place: Springhill, LA
- Airport: Springhill Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.0000° N, 93.4598° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0000&lon=-93.4598&mi=10
- Aircraft: N739ST, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739ST-2013-08-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Reported engine: LYC O320H2AD
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 934 total, 800 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW00LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA041) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991212047259A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4) THE PILOT FAILED TO COMPENSATE FOR GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT OVER HIS PROPERTY, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE IMPACTING TREES AND TERRAIN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS FLYING OVER HIS PROPERTY AT 800 FEET MSL, AT 70 KNOTS, AND WITH 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS EXTENDED.  HE ADDED THAT HE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN TO THE NORTH, WHEN THE 'WIND PICKED [THE] RIGHT WING TIP UP.'  THE PILOT REACTED BY 'PUSHING FORWARD ON THE YOKE AND LEVELING THE WINGS AND APPLYING FULL POWER.'  THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED THROUGH 500 FEET MSL, AND THE PILOT FELT AS IF THE AIRPLANE 'WAS BEING PUSHED TO THE GROUND.'  THE AIRPLANE THEN IMPACTED TREES AND TERRAIN.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT OBTAIN ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION OTHER THAN HIS OWN OBSERVATION PRIOR TO HIS FLIGHT, AND THAT HE UNDERESTIMATED THE SEVERITY OF THE WIND.  WEATHER OBSERVATION FACILITIES IN THE LOCAL AREA WERE REPORTING HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS AND WINDS GUSTING TO 32 KNOTS.                                                                     (-23) PILOT WAS FLYING AT 300' AGL WITH 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS LOODING FOR A DEER THAT HE HAD SHOT. HE TURNED DOWNWIND AND A/C BEGAN AN UNCOMMANDED DESCE NT THAT THE PILOT COULD NOT STOP. PILOT AIMED A/C BETWEEN TWO TREES AND MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. A/C DESTROYED, PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURY TO HIS NOSE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW00LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA041), Dec 12, 1999: Cessna 172N (N739ST), Springhill, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were the gusty winds, and the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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