# NTSB FTW00LA041: Cessna 172N, N739ST, Springhill, LA, December 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 12, 1999, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Springhill, LA - Coordinates: 32.999988, -93.459815 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0000&lon=-93.4598&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47903 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47903/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA041 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were the gusty winds, and the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot failed to compensate for gusty wind conditions and lost control of the airplane during a local flight over his property, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees and terrain. The pilot reported that he was flying over his property at 800 feet msl, at 70 knots, and with 10 degrees of flaps extended. He added that he was making a left turn to the north, when the 'wind picked [the] right wing tip up.' The pilot reacted by 'pushing forward on the yoke and leveling the wings and applying full power.' The airplane descended through 500 feet msl, and the pilot felt as if the airplane 'was being pushed to the ground.' The airplane then impacted trees and terrain. The pilot stated that he did not obtain additional weather information other than his own observation prior to his flight, and that he underestimated the severity of the wind. Weather observation facilities in the local area were reporting heavy rain showers and winds gusting to 32 knots. ## Factual narrative On December 12, 1999, at 1230 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739ST, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees while maneuvering near Springhill, Louisiana. The private pilot, who was the owner of the airplane and sole occupant, received minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Springhill Municipal Airport about 20 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he had been hunting deer on his property earlier that morning and had wounded a deer. He decided to search for the wounded deer using his airplane. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he was flying over his property at 800 feet msl, at 70 knots, and with 10 degrees of flaps extended. He stated that he was making a left turn to the north, when the "wind picked [the] right wing tip up." The pilot reacted by "pushing forward on the yoke and leveling the wings and applying full power." The airplane descended through 500 feet msl, and the pilot felt as if the airplane "was being pushed to the ground." The airplane then impacted trees, located on the pilot's property, in a level flight attitude and subsequently impacted the ground. Both wings sustained structural damage, and the left main and nose landing gear collapsed. At 1155, the weather observation facility at South Arkansas Regional Airport (located 33 miles northeast of Springhill) reported the wind from 010 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 1.5 statute miles in heavy rain showers and mist, overcast ceilings at 300 feet agl, temperature 50 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 48 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter setting of 29.82 inches of Mercury. At 1155, the weather observation facility at the Texarkana Regional Airport (located 40 miles northwest of Springhill) reported the wind from 300 degrees at 22 knots gusting to 32 knots. The pilot reported that he did not seek any weather information other than his own observation prior to the flight. He also stated under the Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented) section of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he "underestimated the severity of the wind." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739ST-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 17270775, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270775 - Airframe hours: 3934 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jimmy L. Juckett - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1999, 65 hours before - Departed: SPH - Airport: SPH, Springhill, runway 18, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 934 total, 800 in this make and model, 888 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 11 knots - Visibility: 1.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ELD, 33 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 19991212047259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991212047259A), Dec 12, 1999: Cessna 172N, Springhill, LA, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot failed to compensate for gusty wind conditions and lost control of the airplane during a local flight over his property, which resulted in the… 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.