Pecos, TX, USA
N1667Y
Cessna 172C
The pilot was unable to locate the intended destination airstrip and attempted to land on an open road. During the landing flare, the airplane encountered a "hard" gust of wind from the right. The airplane began moving to the left and the left main landing gear contacted a dirt mound. The pilot advanced the throttle and attempted to realign the airplane with the road; however, was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the airplane contacted a fence and the ground. According to the pilot, at the time of the accident the wind was from the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots.
On April 22, 2003, approximately 1330 central daylight time, a Cessna 172C airplane, N1667Y, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing on a road (FM 2119), near Pecos, Texas. The airplane was registered to American Energy Pecos County of Pecos, and was operated by the pilot. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured, and one passenger sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Fort Stockton, Texas, and was destined for a private airstrip located 40 miles northwest of Pecos. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to visit property, located 40 miles northwest of Pecos. He was aware of a private airstrip located on the property and flew to the property; however, was unable to locate the airstrip. Subsequently, he identified a suitable road, FM 2119 and attempted to land. During the landing flare (to the north), the airplane encountered a "hard" gust of wind from the right. The airplane began drifting to the left and the left main landing gear contacted a dirt mound. The pilot advanced the throttle and attempted to realign the airplane with the road; however, was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the airplane contacted a fence and the ground. According to the pilot, at the time of the accident the wind was from the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot reported, the propeller blades were bent, the engine firewall was buckled, both wing-tips and the right wing spar were damaged.
The failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control while landing. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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