On December 23, 2005, a Cessna 172R (registration N723PG) was involved in an aviation accident near Morris, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper in-flight decision to land with a quartering tailwind and not maintaining directional control. Factors were the quartering tailwind and the snowdrift. 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.
An airplane sustained substantial right wing damage after departing the right side of runway 36 during landing, impacting a snowdrift and terrain. The pilot reported being high and fast on approach and was blown off the runway by a crosswind.
Accident Description
The airplane sustained substantial right wing damage on impact with a snowdrift and terrain when it departed the right side of runway 36 during landing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the flight.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated, "I went around the pattern again and the conclusion ended up the same [too] high and [too] fast but I decided to land this time and the wind blew me off the right side of the [runway]. If I would not have gone off the side of the [runway] I would have gone off the end."
Weather Conditions
The wind was reported from 220 degrees at 14 knots, indicating a crosswind component relative to runway 36.
Damage
The right wing of the airplane was substantially damaged due to impact with a snowdrift and terrain.
What happened in the 23 Dec 2005 Cessna 172R accident near Morris, IL?
An airplane sustained substantial right wing damage after departing the right side of runway 36 during landing, impacting a snowdrift and terrain. The pilot reported being high and fast on approach and was blown off the runway by a crosswind.
Were there any fatalities in the 23 Dec 2005 Cessna 172R accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 23 Dec 2005 involved a Cessna 172R, registration N723PG, at Morris, IL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's improper in-flight decision to land with a quartering tailwind and not maintaining directional control. Factors were the quartering tailwind and the snowdrift.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…