ERIE, CO, USA
N80650
CESSNA 172M
WINDS WERE REPORTED BY UNICOM AS LIGHT AND VARIABLE OUT OF THE EAST. OFFICIAL WINDS WERE 090 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS, REPORTED AT AN AIRPORT 8 MILES AWAY. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT THOUGHT HE HAD A FLAT TIRE AND CORRECTED WITH RUDDER. THE AIRPLANE RETURNED TO THE RUNWAY CENTER, THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT SAID THE RUDDER PEDALS WERE 'UNRESPONSIVE' AND HE COULD NOT STEER. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A DITCH, AND OVERTURNED. POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL LAND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE: CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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