On January 5, 2001, a Cessna 177RG (registration N45373) was involved in an aviation accident near Del Rio, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the winds. A factor was the windshear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During takeoff roll to the northwest, a pilot reported wind shear hit the left wing, causing the aircraft to drift left and strike a tree. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest nose down in a ravine.
Accident Sequence
According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll to the northwest, the airplane lifted off the runway and traveled along the ground. The left wing was then hit by wind shear, causing the aircraft to drift to the left. The left wing subsequently impacted a tree. The airplane struck the ground, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down in a ravine.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the wind was from the northwest at 10–12 knots. The pilot also stated that the left wing was hit by wind shear during the takeoff roll.
Aircraft Damage
The main damage reported includes the left wing striking a tree, the nose gear collapsing, and the airplane coming to rest nose down in a ravine.