FREDERICKSBURG, TX, USA
N73356
Cessna 172M
The pilot of a Cessna 172M was landing on runway 14 in winds that reportedly were from 150 to 160 degrees at 14 gusting 20 knots. According to the pilot of another airplane, the Cessna pilot's approach was 'too low, shallow, and slow.' The witness further reported that he didn't think the airplane 'would reach the runway,' and as it reached the runway, it began 'to rock indicating he was about to stall.' The pilot stated in his report, that he advanced full throttle and initiated a go-around to abort the landing. He reported that the stall horn 'went off momentarily and the plane dropped hard on the right wheel and bounced back up in the air.' The pilot further stated that during the ensuing attempted go-around, 'the stall horn began to sound again.' The aircraft impacted the ground, and a postimpact fire erupted and destroyed the airplane. The pilot had flown 2.4 hours in the last 90 days.
On March 22, 1996, at 1247 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N73356, registered to Wright Flyers Inc., and operated by Wright Flyers Aviation Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed following a loss of control during landing near Fredericksburg, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that originated at San Antonio International Airport near San Antonio, Texas, approximately 52 minutes before the accident. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight. According to a pilot who witnessed the landing on runway 14, "his approach was too low, shallow, and slow." The witness further reported that he didn't think the aircraft "would reach the runway", and as the aircraft did reach the runway it was beginning "to rock indicating he was about to stall." The pilot stated in his report, that he advanced full throttle and "initiated a go around to abort the landing." He reported that the stall horn "went off momentarily and the plane dropped hard on the right wheel and bounced back up in the air." The winds, at the time of the accident, were reported between 150 and 160 degrees, at 14 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The temperature was 75 degrees. The pilot further stated that during the ensuing attempted go-around, "the stall horn began to sound again." The aircraft impacted the ground, and a post-impact fire destroyed the airplane. The pilot reported on his Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that he had a total of 94.9 hours of flight experience and 2.4 hours during the last 90 days. He further stated that this was a "pleasure flight."
failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach and go-around, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: the high, gusty, crosswind conditions, and the pilot's lack of recent experience.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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