# NTSB BFO95LA014: Cessna 172L, N19735, Bethel, ME, November 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1994, 13:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, ME
- Location: 44.4252° N, 70.8099° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BETHEL RGNL (0B1), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4252&lon=-70.8099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA014

## Probable cause

the flight instructor's failure to ensure adequate control of the airplane during a go-around.  The gusty wind conditions were contributing factors.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE CFI INITIATED A PRACTICE FORCED LANDING.  ACCORDING TO THE CFI THE STUDENT PILOT SELECTED 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS AND MADE '...CORRECT ACTIONS TO COUNTERACT A LEFT CROSSWIND...' WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY.  THE CFI STATED: 'PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN OF THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL, WE EXPERIENCED A VERY STRONG GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT (ALMOST A 180 DEGREE SHEAR).' THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, ADDED POWER AND RAISED THE WING FLAPS FOR A GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES LOCATED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On November 22, 1994, at 1325 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172L, N19735, operated as a dual instructional flight by Bethel Air Service, struck trees during an attempted go-around at Colonel Dyke Field in Bethel, Maine.  The airplane received substantial damage.  The Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) and student pilot, the sole occupants, were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight.  The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

The CFI reported that during the dual instructional flight, a practice forced landing was initiated over the airport and the airplane spiraled down for a landing on runway 32.  According to the CFI, the student pilot selected 30 degrees of flaps and made "...correct actions to counteract a left crosswind of approximately 10 knots..." during the final approach to the runway.  The CFI reported that "Prior to touchdown of the left main wheel, we experienced a very strong gust of wind from the right (almost 180 degree shear)."  The CFI took control of the airplane, added power for a go-around and raised the wing flaps.  The CFI reported he was unable to regain control of the airplane, and it continued in a left turn until it struck trees.

Weather reports at the time of accident indicated the wind to be from a westerly direction at 14 knots gusting to 23 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19735](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19735-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N 17260709, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bethel Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: 0B1
- Airport: 0B1, Colonel Dyke Field, runway 32, 3,150 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 370 total, 150 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Observed at: BML, 18 nm away

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.

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