HATTON, ND, USA
N3269L
CESSNA 172H
THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND AS THE PLT WAS MAKING A LOW PASS OVER A BEAN FIELD TO CHECK FOR GRASSHOPPERS. HE RPRTD THAT AS HE WAS APCHG THE FIELD FROM THE NORTH, THE ACFT CROSSED OVER A SHELTER BELT (TREES) WHICH WAS ABOUT 50 TO 60 FT TALL. THE PLT STATED THAT AS THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING OVER THE SHELTER BELT, 'IT FELT AS IF THE BOTTOM DROPPED OUT OF THE AIRPLANE.' HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE & THE ACFT STARTED TO RESPOND, BUT IT HIT THE GROUND IN A WINGS LEVEL, SLIGHTLY TAIL LOW ATTITUDE & WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. THE PLT'S LAST MED CERT WAS DATED 2/6/87.
IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE ABOVE THE GROUND. THE TAILWIND, HIGH OBSTRUCTION (SHELTER BELT), AND DOWNDRAFT WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
