Cessna 172P N66986

Summary

On 18 February 2002 at about 19:46 local time, a Cessna 172P registered N66986 was involved in an accident near Dowagiac, Michigan, 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

18 February 2002 at 19:46

Classification

Accident

Location

Dowagiac, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Dowagiac Municpal Airport (C91)

Coordinates

41.9799, -86.1107

Aircraft

Cessna 172P

Registration

N66986

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sandusky → Dowagiac

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI02LA078

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions that resulted in directional control not being maintained during the landing roll. Factors to the accident were the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to attempt the landing with a gusting 20 knot direct crosswind.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During landing rollout the airplane departed the right side of the prepared runway surface, entered a soft agricultural field, and nosed over. The landing attempt was made on runway 27 and the winds at the time were reported to be 180 degrees magnetic at 14 knots with gusts to 20 knots. The pilot reported he should have diverted, "to an airport that had a runway that was better [aligned] with the wind." The Cessna 172P Information Manual addresses crosswind landings and states in part, "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability as well as aircraft limitations. Operation in direct crosswinds of 15 knots has been demonstrated."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.