On February 16, 1997, a Cessna 172M (registration N80814) was involved in an aviation accident near San Antonio, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot, returning to flight after over a year, lost control on final approach. After slowing with full flaps, a gust flipped the wing, leading to a diving turn and impact with a hangar door, causing the left wing to separate.
Accident Summary
The private pilot, who had not flown for more than a year, rented an airplane and flew to a nearby airport to practice takeoffs and landings. During his fifth approach for a full stop landing on runway 14, the pilot reported that he was high for the landing and allowed the airspeed to become too slow after he had configured the airplane with full flaps. A gust of wind then flipped the right wing upward, causing the airplane to enter a diving turn to the left. The left wing separated from the airframe after the airplane impacted the door of a hangar located on the east side of the runway.
Conditions and Pilot Remarks
The winds at the time of the accident were reported as calm. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and stated that he did not hear the sound of the stall warning horn during the event.
What happened in the 16 Feb 1997 Cessna 172M accident near San Antonio, TX?
A private pilot, returning to flight after over a year, lost control on final approach. After slowing with full flaps, a gust flipped the wing, leading to a diving turn and impact with a hangar door, causing the left wing to separate.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 16 Feb 1997 involved a Cessna 172M, registration N80814, at San Antonio, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience.
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