On November 15, 1996, a Cessna 170B (registration N25JM) was involved in an aviation accident near Manvel, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of aircraft control due to the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. A factor was the crosswind. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a landing attempt with gusty crosswinds, a sudden gust displaced the airplane right of the runway. The pilot initiated a go-around but struck a tree and a historical marker.
Incident Overview
A pilot was attempting to land on runway 20 under gusty south crosswind conditions. As the landing flare began, approximately one to two feet above the runway, a sudden left gust displaced the airplane to the right of the runway. The pilot then initiated a go-around.
Sequence of Events
During the go-around, while the pilot was attempting to gain greater airspeed, the airplane was displaced further to the right of the runway. It subsequently struck a tree and then impacted a historical marker.
Weather Conditions
At 0949, 11 minutes prior to the accident, the reported winds at Houston Hobby International Airport (located 10 nautical miles from the accident site) were from 120 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots.