Cessna 172N N739ST

Summary

On 12 December 1999 at about 18:30 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N739ST was involved in an accident near Springhill, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 December 1999 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Springhill, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Springhill (SPH)

Coordinates

33.0000, -93.4598

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N739ST

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW00LA041

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were the gusty winds, and the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot failed to compensate for gusty wind conditions and lost control of the airplane during a local flight over his property, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees and terrain. The pilot reported that he was flying over his property at 800 feet msl, at 70 knots, and with 10 degrees of flaps extended. He added that he was making a left turn to the north, when the 'wind picked [the] right wing tip up.' The pilot reacted by 'pushing forward on the yoke and leveling the wings and applying full power.' The airplane descended through 500 feet msl, and the pilot felt as if the airplane 'was being pushed to the ground.' The airplane then impacted trees and terrain. The pilot stated that he did not obtain additional weather information other than his own observation prior to his flight, and that he underestimated the severity of the wind. Weather observation facilities in the local area were reporting heavy rain showers and winds gusting to 32 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.