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Casualties unknown

Private Pilot Reports Wind Gusts During Landing, Left Wing Strikes Tree (N737TG)

Bumpass, VA, US

On September 21, 2002, a Cessna 172N (registration N737TG) operated by Quantico Marine Flying Club was involved in an aviation accident near Bumpass, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. A factor was the narrow runway width. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A private pilot reported that during landing, wind gusts pushed the airplane left, causing the left main gear to leave the runway surface and catch a ridge, leading to a left wing strike with a tree and a descent into a ditch.

Accident Overview

A private pilot was landing his airplane following a left-hand traffic pattern. After turning onto final approach, the pilot lowered the flaps to the full-down position. A wind gust then pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot realigned the airplane with the runway for the remainder of the approach.

Approach and Landing

During the landing flare, another wind gust pushed the airplane off course to the left. The runway was 25 feet wide. As a result, the left main landing gear touched down off the landing surface and caught a ridge. The ridge descended into a ditch. Despite the pilot's application of right rudder and brake, the airplane continued to the left. Subsequently, the left wing struck a tree, causing the airplane to spin around before descending to the bottom of the ditch.

Wind Conditions

Winds recorded at an airport 10 nautical miles to the northwest, about 8 minutes before the accident, were from a direction 80 degrees left of the runway, at 6 knots.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Sept 2002 Cessna 172N accident near Bumpass, VA?

A private pilot reported that during landing, wind gusts pushed the airplane left, causing the left main gear to leave the runway surface and catch a ridge, leading to a left wing strike with a tree and a descent into a ditch.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Sept 2002 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N737TG, operated by Quantico Marine Flying Club, at Bumpass, VA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. A factor was the narrow runway width.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021008X05291. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.