# NTSB CHI05CA084: Cessna 172, N8954B, Baudette, MN, March 26, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 26, 2005, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Baudette, MN
- Coordinates: 48.72861, -94.61222
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7286&lon=-94.6122&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Minneapolis, MN FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA084

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind which resulted in the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.  Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind, the snow covered surface on which the landing was being made, and the deeper snow which the airplane contacted.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The airplane nosed over following a loss of directional control while landing on a frozen lake.  The landing was being made to the south on a trail that had been made on the lake.  The pilot stated the crosswind blew the airplane off of the trail during the landing roll.  He stated he attempted to regain control of the airplane by applying right rudder.  He stated the nose wheel contacted 6-inch deep snow off the side of the trail at which time the airplane nosed over.  The pilot reported the local winds were from 220 degrees at 10 knots.

## Factual narrative

On March 26, 2005, at 1045 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N8954B, nosed over following a loss of directional control while landing the frozen Lake of the Woods, near Baudette, Minnesota.  The private pilot and passenger 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 Pine River, Minnesota, at 0830.

The landing was being made to the south on a trail that had been made on the lake.  The pilot stated the crosswind blew the airplane off of the trail during the landing roll.  He stated he attempted to regain control of the airplane by applying right rudder.  He stated the nose wheel contacted 6-inch deep snow off the side of the trail at which time the airplane nosed over.

The pilot reported the local winds were from 220 degrees at 10 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8954B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8954B-2018-06-26), registration cancelled 2018-06-26, S/N 36654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36654
- Engines: Continental O-300 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey A. Feltmann
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PWC, Pine River, MN
- Destination: Baudette, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,830 total, 178 in this make and model, 1,538 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 20050326006949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050326006949A), Mar 26, 2005: Cessna 172, Baudette, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted landing on frozen lake of the woods near Baudette, Minnesota in order to go ice fishing. Tried to land on snowmobile trail and lost…

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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