Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA18CA112

Silver City, NM, USA

Aircraft #1

N1046F

CESSNA 172

Analysis

The student pilot reported that, while landing during a solo flight, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the right side of the runway, and he was "unable to recover." The airplane landed hard, bounced, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located 8 nautical miles south-southeast from the airport revealed that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 280° at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The airplane landed on runway 35.

Factual Information

The student pilot reported that, while landing during a solo flight, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the right side of the runway and he was "unable to recover". The airplane landed hard, bounced, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located 8 nautical miles to the south-southeast from the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 280° at 12 knots, gusting 16 knots. The airplane landed on runway 35.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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