HANFORD, CA, USA
N7309G
CESSNA 150L
THE PILOT OBTAINED A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH ADVISED OF LOCAL AREA WINDS FROM THE NORTH WEST AT 15 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 20 KTS. THE PILOT SAID HE FLEW A NORMAL PATTERN FOR RUNWAY 32. AS THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED THE FLARE, A STRONG GUST OF WIND SUDDENLY LIFTED THE LEFT WING AND THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT 'PITCHED UP VIOLENTLY.' THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO COUNTER THE ATTITUDE DEVIATION WITH FORWARD AND LEFT CONTROL INPUTS. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON THE NOSE WHEEL, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE AIRPORT VASI LIGHT INSTALLATION AND THE AIRCRAFT CART WHEELED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT REPORTED THAT STRONG GUSTY CROSS WINDS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE AIRCRAFT'S APPROACH AND LANDING ATTEMPT.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN A SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE ATTEMPTED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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