1 Sep 2008: CESSNA 172SP — Ari Meisel

1 Sep 2008: CESSNA 172SP — Ari Meisel

No fatalities • South Harpswell, ME, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusty winds.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot stated that prior to landing he believed that he had a quartering head wind between 6 and 8 knots. Once over runway 14 at about 10 feet agl., "suddenly the wind shifted and we were lifted up and keeled over to the right. Once I leveled the wings I realized that we were quickly running out of runway." The pilot stated that he attempted a go-around; he put in full power and raised the flaps to 20 degrees. However, he did not have enough power or clearance to stay out of the trees. The pilot banked left to avoid the trees and "dropped" the airplane in a field between houses. The airplane hit the ground and then skidded to a stop into a tree. The reported weather conditions at Brunswick, Maine, at the time of the accident was visual meteorological conditions with winds at 340 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 27 knots. The pilot said he and the two passengers were out of the airplane in 15 seconds. Damage to the airplane consisted of the left wing and empennage. Emergency responders arrived within 5 minutes, but no one was injured. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Contributing factors

  • factor Ability to respond/compensate
  • Capability exceeded
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 340/19kt, vis 10sm

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