# NTSB CHI05CA058: Cessna 172F, N8205U, Willmar, MN, January 26, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 26, 2005, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Willmar, MN - Coordinates: 45.115554, -95.08889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1156&lon=-95.0889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60942 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60942/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA058 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to properly compensate for the crosswind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. Contributing factors were the crosswind and the snow bank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when the student pilot lost directional control during landing rollout and impacted a snow bank along the runway edge. The pilot stated that he had returned from a local solo instructional flight. He noted that winds had increased from 6 knots to 12 knots during the flight. The wind direction had not changed and presented approximately a 60-degree right crosswind. He reported that during the initial landing attempt the airplane drifted to the left and he elected to execute a go-around. He noted that the second approach was "fine." He stated: "When I touched down I put more aileron [in] but still started to drift left. I could feel the right wing come up and I was making a point to use more aileron. I was still drifting and went [through] the snow at the edge of the runway which broke the nose wheel off. The plane then dropped to the ground and skidded for about 30 feet." The outboard section of the left wing was "buckled" during the accident sequence. ## Factual narrative On January 26, 2005, about 1030 central standard time, a Cessna 172F, N8205U, owned and piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged during landing rollout when it impacted a snow bank along the left edge of runway 28 (5,700 feet by 100 feet, dry asphalt) at the Willmar Municipal Airport-John L Rice Field (ILL), Willmar, Minnesota. The solo instructional flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight departed ILL approximately 0945. In his written statement, the pilot reported that the flight consisted of airwork in the local practice area. He recalled that winds were from 340 degrees at 6 knots when he took off. During the flight he reportedly noticed some weather approaching and decided to return to the airport. He stated the winds were from 340 degrees at 12 knots. He noted that he entered the traffic pattern for runway 28 and completed the before landing checklist. He stated that upon touchdown the aircraft drifted to the left and he elected to go-around. The pilot reported that he remained in the traffic pattern and set-up for another landing attempt. He noted that the second approach was "fine." He stated: "When I touched down I put more aileron [in] but still started to drift left. I could feel the right wing come up and I was making a point to use more aileron. I was still drifting and went [through] the snow at the edge of the runway which broke the nose wheel off. The plane then dropped to the ground and skidded for about 30 feet." The outboard section of the left wing was "buckled" during the accident sequence. The pilot noted that he had successfully completed 2 takeoffs and landings with his flight instructor the previous day in a 16 to 19 knot crosswind. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to, or at the time of, the accident. The ILL Automated Weather Observing System, at 0955, recorded winds from 340 degrees at 11 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8205U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8205U), registered now, S/N 17252105, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17252105 - Airframe hours: 3216 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 2004, 40 hours before - Departed: ILL, Willmar, MN - Airport: ILL, Willmar Muni-John L Rice Field, runway 28, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 26 total, 26 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 11 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: ILL ## 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 20050126034399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050126034399A), Jan 26, 2005: Cessna 172F, Willmar, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) While student pilot was performing a crosswind landing the aircraft drifted left off the runway upon landing and struck an ice hardened snow bank. The… ## Other investigations on N8205U (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 MKC78DER16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DER16), Jan 1, 1978: Cessna 172F (N8205U), Glenwood, MN, substantial damage 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.