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Casualties unknown

Pilot Reports Gusty Winds in Runway Excursion Incident (N80512)

Weyers Cave, VA, US

On March 22, 1998, a Cessna 172M (registration N80512) operated by Shenandoah Flight Services was involved in an aviation accident near Weyers Cave, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in an encounter with a fence on uneven terrain and a nose over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported gusty northwest winds during a landing on runway 23. The airplane veered left, went up a hill, hit a fence, and flipped over. AWOS data showed winds from 310° at 6 knots with no gusts at the accident time, but gusts of 17–22 knots were recorded earlier and later.

Incident Details

According to the pilot, flight conditions were gusty with winds from the northwest. He flew a final approach to runway 23 and applied right crosswind corrections on final approach. After landing, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, went up a small hill, hit a fence, and flipped over.

The pilot had received his Private Pilot certification 18 days prior to the accident.

Weather Conditions

The Automatic Weather Observation System reported surface winds from 310 degrees at 6 knots with no gusts at the approximate time of the accident. However, the system had consistently reported gusts throughout the day of 17 to 22 knots, ending about 30 minutes before the accident and commencing again 10 minutes after the accident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Mar 1998 Cessna 172M accident near Weyers Cave, VA?

A pilot reported gusty northwest winds during a landing on runway 23. The airplane veered left, went up a hill, hit a fence, and flipped over. AWOS data showed winds from 310° at 6 knots with no gusts at the accident time, but gusts of 17–22 knots were recorded earlier and later.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Mar 1998 involved a Cessna 172M, registration N80512, operated by Shenandoah Flight Services, at Weyers Cave, VA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in an encounter with a fence on uneven terrain and a nose over.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X09765. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.