Accident Details
A Cessna 172N was conducting a training flight to practice crosswind takeoffs and landings on runway 32. During the landing flare, a gust of wind lifted the left wing. The student pilot inadvertently applied right aileron, causing the right wing to contact the runway surface. This contact damaged the right wing and aileron. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) then assumed control of the aircraft. The airplane drifted to the right of the runway and gained approximately 10 feet of altitude. The throttle control had been bent about 45 degrees by the student during the abnormal runway contact, which prevented the CFI from performing an aborted landing maneuver. The damage to the right aileron also prevented the CFI from returning the airplane to the runway surface. The airplane subsequently landed in the snow next to the runway. Neither pilot was injured.
Flight and Weather Conditions
The accident airport did not have weather reporting capability. However, airports with weather observations in the local area at the time of the accident recorded winds generally from 250 to 290 degrees at 15 knots, with a peak gust of 25 knots. The CFI reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.
Aftermath
The aircraft sustained damage to the right wing and aileron, and the throttle control was bent. No injuries were reported among the two occupants. The investigation did not identify any mechanical failures.