SLATINGTON, PA, USA
N5272R
CESSNA 172M
DURING THE APPROACH TO THE 30-FOOT-WIDE RUNWAY (RUNWAY 01), THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO DRIFT RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT BEFORE HE COULD CORRECT THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT PATH, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WHEEL IMPACTED A 3 TO 4-FOOT-HIGH SNOW BANK LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY (BOTH SIDES OF THE RUNWAY HAD SNOW BANKS). THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN THE RIGHT WHEEL IMPACTED THE SNOW BANK, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO AIRFRAME OR ENGINE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDS WERE COMING FROM THE WEST AT A VELOCITY OF 5 TO 8 KNOTS.
On Tuesday, February 22, 1994, at 0920 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172M, N5272R, owned and operated by the Richmond Pilots Association Incorporated, of Staten Island, New York, and piloted by Robert Kingsley of Staten Island, impacted a snow bank during a landing at the Slatington Airport, Slatington, Pennsylvania, and was substantially damaged. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The cross country personal flight originated from the Linden Airport in Linden, New Jersey, and was destined for the Slatington Airport. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, about 100 feet from the end of the 30- foot-wide runway, the airplane started to drift to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot stated that before he could correct the airplane's flight path, the airplane's right wheel impacted a 3 to 4-foot-high snow bank located on the side of the runway. (Snow banks were present on both sides of the runway.) The pilot stated, "...[The] Right wheel caught snow bank about 1/2 way up. Aircraft turned to the right into the bank. Left wing hit ground as aircraft pivoted." The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. At the time of the accident, the winds were coming from the west at a velocity of 5 knots and were gusting to 8 knots.
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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