Cessna 172M N12891 accident, Eveleth, MN, Apr 29, 2001 · NTSB CHI01LA127

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions which resulted in the loss of aircraft control. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind condition, the pilot's lack of experience, and the trees which were contacted.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightGo-around (vfr)

Weather condition - gustsFactor

Weather condition - crosswindFactor

Compensation for wind conditions - inadequatePilot in commandCause

Lack of experiencePilot in commandFactor

Aircraft control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

In flight collision with objectGo-around (vfr)

Object - tree(s)Factor

In flight collision with terrain/waterGo-around (vfr)

Analysis

The airplane collided with trees and the terrain following a loss of control during a go-around. The pilot reported that while on short final approach a gust of wind blew the airplane off the centerline. He reported that another gust resulted in the airplane entering a right turn which resulted in a tailwind condition. The pilot reported, "...I put full power in and was going to go around. But at that slow I didn't have much aileron control and could not get it to turn into the wind." The pilot reported he was unable to gain enough airspeed to clear the trees along the right side of the runway. The airplane contacted the trees and came to rest inverted. The local wind reported at 0935 central daylight time were from 200 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 24 knots. The pilot reported having a total flight time of 66 hours, 22 of which were as pilot in command. He reported having five hours of flight time in Cessna 172 airplanes.

Factual narrative

On April 29, 2001, at 0930 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N12891, collided with trees and the terrain following a loss of control during a go-around on runway 27 (4,694 feet by 100 feet) at the Virginia Municipal Airport, Eveleth, Minnesota. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Eveleth, Minnesota, at 0830 central daylight time.

The pilot reported that while on short final approach a gust of wind blew the airplane off the centerline. He reported that another gust resulted in the airplane entering a right turn which resulted in a tailwind condition. The pilot reported, "...I put full power in and was going to go around. But at that slow I didn't have much aileron control and could not get it to turn into the wind." The pilot reported he was unable to gain enough airspeed to clear the trees along the right side of the runway. The airplane contacted the trees and came to rest inverted. The local wind reported at 0935 central daylight time were from 200 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 24 knots.

The pilot reported having a total flight time of 66 hours, 22 of which were as pilot in command. He reported having five hours of flight time in Cessna 172 airplanes.

Aircraft

Registration: N12891
Reported as: Cessna 172M
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 17262346
Engine: Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Operator: Chad M. Hill
Registered owner: Taconite Aviation, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Departed: EVM · Eveleth, MN
Airport: EVM · Eveleth-Virginia Municipal, runway 27, 4,694 × 100 ft, macadam

N12891Registration cancelled Jul 10, 2003 · Cessna 172MS/N 17262346 · Built 1973 Airframe modelCessna 172M Engine modelLycoming 0-320 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 19
Injuries: None
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat: Left
Flight hours: 66 total · 5 in this make and model · 22 as pilot in command

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 200° at 16 knots, gusting 24
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
Observed at: EVM

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20010429007969ACessna 172M · Eleleth, MN(-23)Landing runway 27 aborted landing, gust of wind turned aircraft down wind airspeed bled off and aircraft landed in the woods inverted. (.19)on April 29, 2001, at 0930 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N12891, collided with trees and the terrain…Apr 29, 2001 · N12891 · No damage