# NTSB CHI00LA017: Cessna 172, N52569, Waukon, IA, October 27, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 27, 1999, 16:05 local (21:05 UTC) - Place: Waukon, IA - Coordinates: 43.260662, -91.470916 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2607&lon=-91.4709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47653 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47653/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA017 ## Probable cause the pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane during the aborted landing. Factors relating to the accident included the crosswinds, the fence, and the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported he flew over the airport to determine which runway to use based on the winds. He chose to land on runway 25. At 1645, the winds at an airport 12 nautical miles to the west were reported as 150 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 22 knots. The pilot reported he attempted to land but did a go-around. The pilot executed an aborted landing on his second attempt to land. Concerning his second attempt to land, he reported, 'This time I knew that I would need to press hard on the rudder so I moved my feet down, pressed hard on the rudder and slipped the plane down to the runway. After I landed, I kept pressing hard on the pedals thinking that I was on the brakes.' He reported, 'I kept pressing hard and the plane was not slowing down and was being blown off the runway to the North. I then decided to try and go around again-so I gave it full power and lifted off, but I was blown right into the fence. The plane kept rising but then started to stall so I brought it back down and went through two more fences and I hit a pole which took off the end of the wing before hitting a road bank head-on which stopped the plane.' ## Factual narrative On October 27, 1999, at 1605 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N52569, was substantially damaged when it hit the airport fence and trees during a go-around. The 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight departed Houston County Airport, Caledonia, Minnesota, at 1555 with Waukon Municipal Airport as the destination. The airplane drifted during landing and the pilot attempted a go-around, but impacted the fence and trees that paralleled the runway. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he flew over the airport to determine which runway to use based on the winds. He chose to land on runway 25. At 1645, the winds at Decorah Municipal Airport (DEH) located about 12 nautical miles to the west were reported as 150 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 22 knots. The pilot reported he attempted to land but did a go-around. The pilot executed an aborted landing on his second attempt to land. Concerning his second attempt to land, the pilot reported, "This time I knew that I would need to press hard on the rudder so I moved my feet down, pressed hard on the rudder and slipped the plane down to the runway. After I landed, I kept pressing hard on the pedals thinking that I was on the brakes. Later, after I thought about the accident I realized that I did not have my feet on the brakes. I kept pressing hard and the plane was not slowing down and was being blown off the runway to the North. I then decided to try and go around again-so I gave it full power and lifted off, but I was blown right into the fence. The plane kept rising but then started to stall so I brought it back down and went through two more fences and I hit a pole which took off the end of the wing before hitting a road bank head-on which stopped the plane." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52569](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52569), registered now, S/N 17274557 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52569 - Airframe hours: 2837 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Red Baron Flyers, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1999, 74 hours before - Departed: CHU, CALEDONIA, MN - Destination: Y01 - Airport: Y01, Waukon, runway 25, 2,413 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 86 total, 26 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DEH, 12 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19991027042949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991027042949A), Oct 27, 1999: Cessna 172P, Waukon, IA, No damage. (-23) Mr. Beneke was executing a cross wind landing and lost control of the a/c. the a/c hit three fence posts and came to rest in a roadside ditch.(.19) on… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.