MONUMENT VALLEY, UT, USA
N65759
Cessna 172P
The pilot was performing a sightseeing flight and was second in a group of three to land. At 200 feet agl, a 'severe gust' turned the aircraft 30 to 40 degrees to the right and at a 40 degree bank. The pilot added power to go-around, and the aircraft began a slight climb. Due to approaching mountainous terrain, the pilot initiated an early turn to crosswind; however, the aircraft only reached an altitude of approximately 200 to 300 agl while in the traffic pattern. While on final approach for his second attempt to land, the aircraft impacted the ground 150 feet to left of the runway at a heading of approximately 195 degrees with full power and in a nose high attitude. The nose and right main gear were separated from the aircraft, and the airplane came to rest on its nose. Approximately one hour after the accident, the wind blew the aircraft onto its back. According to a representative of Scenic Airlines, Inc., the pilot's date of hire was April 24, 1998, and he was employed with the company for less than a month prior to the accident. In addition, the pilot was from California and was new to the geographic area. Density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 7,854 feet.
On May 17, 1998, approximately 1440 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N65759, was substantially damaged during landing on a private airstrip near Monument Valley, Utah. The airline transport rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, and the second passenger was uninjured. The airplane was being operated by Scenic Airlines, Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country sightseeing flight which originated from Page, Arizona, approximately 1300. A company VFR flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he was performing a sightseeing flight and was second in a group of three to land. The first aircraft landed at Monument Valley and reported strong but steady winds. At 200 feet agl, a "severe gust" turned the accident aircraft 30 to 40 degrees to the right and at a 40 degree bank. The pilot added power to go-around, and the airplane began a slight climb. Due to approaching mountainous terrain, the pilot initiated an early left turn to crosswind. The vertical speed indicator (vsi) was reading 0, and the pilot estimated the aircraft to be at an altitude of 200 to 300 feet agl. The pilot stated that at no time did the vsi indicate a positive rate of climb. While on final approach for his second attempt to land, the aircraft impacted the ground 150 feet to left of the runway at a heading of approximately 195 degrees with full power and in a nose high attitude. The nose and right main gear were separated from the aircraft, and the airplane came to rest on its nose. According to a witness, N65759 appeared to "abort [the] landing under gusty/squirrelly wind conditions. An attempt to climb out was then made, but the downwind leg appeared unusually low. The approach then seemed to be made from a short, quartering final. The plane appeared to drop its left wing just before ground contact." Approximately one hour after the accident, the wind blew the aircraft onto its back. According to a representative of Scenic Airlines, Inc., the pilot's date of hire was April 24, 1998, and he was employed with the company for less than a month prior to the accident. In addition, the pilot was from California and was new to the geographic area. Density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 7,854 feet.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing. Factors were gusty, crosswind conditions, the pilot's lack of experience in type of operation and geographic area, mountainous terrain, and high density altitude.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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