On October 4, 1991, a Cessna 172M (registration N80650) operated by Tri-county Flight School was involved in an aviation accident near Erie, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL LAND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE: CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An airplane veered right after landing, the pilot corrected with rudder, but the pedals became unresponsive. The aircraft departed the runway, hit a ditch, and overturned. Postaccident inspection found no mechanical failures.
Accident Sequence
According to the investigation source, the airplane touched down and immediately veered to the right. The pilot suspected a flat tire and applied rudder correction, which brought the airplane back to the runway centerline. However, the airplane then veered to the right again. The pilot reported that the rudder pedals were "unresponsive" and that he could not steer. The airplane subsequently departed the runway, struck a ditch, and overturned.
Wind Conditions
Winds were reported by UNICOM as light and variable out of the east. Official winds recorded at an airport 8 miles away were 090 degrees at 15 knots.
Postaccident Inspection
A postaccident inspection of the airplane disclosed no mechanical malfunction or failure that could have been causal to the accident.
What happened in the 4 Oct 1991 Cessna 172M accident near Erie, CO?
An airplane veered right after landing, the pilot corrected with rudder, but the pedals became unresponsive. The aircraft departed the runway, hit a ditch, and overturned. Postaccident inspection found no mechanical failures.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 4 Oct 1991 involved a Cessna 172M, registration N80650, operated by Tri-county Flight School, at Erie, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL LAND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE: CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE.
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