Cessna 172M N64307

Summary

On 15 June 2002 at about 18:00 local time, a Cessna 172M registered N64307 was involved in an accident near Saint Johns, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 June 2002 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Saint Johns, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

St. John's Industrial Air Park (KSJN)

Coordinates

34.5183, -109.3786

Aircraft

Cessna 172M

Registration

N64307

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Albuquerque → Saint Johns

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX02LA199

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control and collision with terrain. Related factors were the wind gusts, crosswind and soft terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane veered off the runway while attempting to land, and encountered soft soil, which damaged several structural elements. The pilot reported that he attempted to land on runway 21, but opted to perform a go-around because he could not obtain proper runway alignment. The Automated Surface Observation System and a fixed base operator attendant reported a shift in winds, and the pilot elected to land on runway 32. He configured the airplane with 5 degrees of flaps and prepared for landing. During approach, about 5 to 6 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a loss of altitude and yawed to the left. During touchdown, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane back onto the runway and attempted to gain airspeed, in an effort to takeoff. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and he reduced the power to idle. The airplane continued down a dirt hill, and came to rest after the nose wheel dug into soft terrain. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Winds at the airport were reportedly blowing from 250 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts up to 26 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.