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Casualties unknown

Aircraft Damaged After Being Pushed Off Runway by Gusts in Vermont (N49653)

Bennington, VT, US

On January 12, 1986, a Cessna 152 (registration N49653) was involved in an aviation accident near Bennington, VT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing due to strong gusty winds, which resulted in the aircraft being pushed off the runway and into a snowbank. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-22Data APIEditorial standards

Strong gusty winds pushed an aircraft off the runway during landing in Bennington, Vermont, causing it to collide with a snowbank and sustain substantial damage.

What happened

The pilot was operating in the vicinity of Bennington, Vermont, conducting local flights for an extended period. After completing this segment of the flight, the decision was made to land at the local airport to refuel the aircraft.

During the landing roll, the aircraft encountered strong and gusty wind conditions. The sudden change in wind velocity exerted significant lateral force on the airframe. Before the pilot could effectively correct for the crosswind component, the aircraft was pushed off the side of the runway.

The loss of directional control resulted in the aircraft colliding with a snowbank located adjacent to the paved surface. This impact caused substantial damage to the airframe.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing due to strong gusty winds, which resulted in the aircraft being pushed off the runway and into a snowbank.
Weather

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 152 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Jan 1986 Cessna 152 accident near Bennington, VT?

Strong gusty winds pushed an aircraft off the runway during landing in Bennington, Vermont, causing it to collide with a snowbank and sustain substantial damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Jan 1986 involved a Cessna 152, registration N49653, at Bennington, VT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing due to strong gusty winds, which resulted in the aircraft being pushed off the runway and into a snowbank.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010110X00248. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.