Casualties unknown

1997-01-16: Cessna 172P (N51448) — Cardinal Wings — Bloomington, IN

Bloomington, IN, US

On January 16, 1997, a Cessna 172P (registration N51448) operated by Cardinal Wings was involved in an aviation accident near Bloomington, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors included the icy runway and the crosswind. 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.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that after landing on an ice-covered runway, a gust of wind caused the aircraft to weathervane left. Despite differential braking and crosswind aileron, the airplane slid off the runway, struck a snow bank, and nosed over before settling back on its landing gear.

Accident Summary

A pilot reported that during landing on runway 35, the aircraft experienced a loss of directional control due to icy runway conditions and a gust of wind. The airplane subsequently slid off the left side of the runway, collided with a snow bank, and nosed over to a vertical position before falling back onto its landing gear.

Pilot Report

According to the pilot, the runway was covered with ice at the time of landing. The aircraft's speed was almost at taxi speed when a gust of wind caused the airplane to weathervane to the left. The pilot applied differential braking and crosswind aileron inputs but reported that the aircraft continued to slide off the left side of the runway. The airplane then impacted a snow bank and nosed over, coming to rest in an upright position after falling back on its landing gear.

Weather and Runway Conditions

The official wind was reported as 280 degrees at 15 knots. Runway 17/35 had a NOTAM in effect for thin packed or compacted snow and ice on the runway, which had been sanded, but braking action was noted as poor.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07269. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.