# NTSB CHI97LA065: Cessna 182J, N3128F, Gaylord, MI, January 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 21, 1997, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Gaylord, MI - Coordinates: 45.02058, -84.670646 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0206&lon=-84.6706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10517 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10517/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA065 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in a failure to maintain proper runway alignment. Factors associated with the accident were: the gusty, crosswind condition, the pilot's failure to perform a go-around, and the snowbank. ## 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) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student pilot, who was on a solo cross country flight, stated that smoke from smoke stacks south of the airport indicated that the winds were out of the east. He stated that on final approach to runway 9 he realized he had a 'good crosswind' as it was difficult for him to maintain runway alignment. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane contacted a snowbank along the left side of the runway. The pilot reported local winds were from 120 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 28 knots. ## Factual narrative On January 21, 1997, at 1000 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182, N3128F, registered to the Iosco Flying Club and flown by a solo student pilot, collided with a snowbank while landing at the Gaylord Otsego County Regional Airport, Gaylord, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo cross country flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The last leg of the cross country originated from Rogers City, Michigan, at 0915 est. The pilot reported that 12 to 15 miles from the airport he called the Unicom and requested winds and landing information, but was unable to get a response. He stated that smoke from smoke stacks south of the airport indicated winds were from the east. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 09 and stated that while on the downwind leg the airplane was "starting to bounce around." He continued to report that as he turned final he realized he had a "pretty good crosswind." He reported that the airplane was blown to the left of the runway and he was able to correct back to the center. He reported, "The closer I got to the ground the more radical the control inputs became. As I crossed the threshold I chopped the power. At this point I was getting blown left, but felt I could still land. As I flared I was way left." The airplane touched down and collided with a plowed snowbank along the left side of the runway. The student reported that the local winds at the airport were from 120 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 28 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3128F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3128F), registered now, S/N 18257228, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182J - Registry model: [Cessna 182J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182j) (registry code 2072722) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 182-57228 - Airframe hours: 4080 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Iosco Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1996, 282 hours before - Departed: PZQ, ROGERS CITY, MI - Destination: GLR - Airport: GLR, Gaylord Otsego County, runway 9, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 45 total, 25 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PLN, 37 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 19970121045899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970121045899A), Jan 21, 1997: Cessna 182J, Gaylord, MI, Substantial damage. (.4)The student pilot, who was on a solo cross country flight, stated that smoke from smoke stacks south of the airport indicated that the winds were out of… 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.